Hugo Lloris: Tottenham's Andre Villas-Boas 'astonished' by outcry

Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas says he is astonished by the reaction to goalkeeper Hugo Lloris playing on after being knocked unconscious.

The France international, 26, collided with striker Romelu Lukaku during the 0-0 draw with Everton on Sunday.

Spurs were criticised for allowing Loris to complete the match.

But Villas-Boas responded: "I stand by the decision I took and I stand by the decision made by my medical staff. They did everything by the book."

He added that "a couple of people" had chosen to use the incident "as an opportunity to get some publicity", claiming: "They have no experience on the pitch of these situations."

The Portuguese added that criticism of Tottenham's medical department for failing to overrule Lloris's desire to play on was disrespectful considering their part in treating Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba after his on-pitch cardiac arrest in March 2012.

"A medical department and two people who, two years ago, saved the life of a footballer on the pitch have been completely forgotten, poorly treated and badly respected by lots of opinion makers," he said.

Muamba, who retired from football five months after the incident, collapsed after 41 minutes of an FA Cup quarter-final tie with Spurs at White Hart Lane and was given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and 15 defibrillator shocks before he arrived at an intensive care unit at the London Chest Hospital.

Villas-Boas also said the incident was "not comparable" with similar cases in American Football or rugby union.

He also rejected the idea that what happened to Lloris could be compared with what happened to Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

"It astonishes me that it is trying to be put in the same mode as these situations," said Villas-Boas.

Cech fractured his skull in a game against Reading in October 2006 and still wears a scrum cap for protection when playing.

Lloris briefly lost consciousness after his collision with Lukaku late on at Goodison Park and was assessed on the pitch before continuing.

Villas-Boas said after the match he thought Lloris was capable of playing on.

The club also revealed that the goalkeeper had undergone a CT scan that showed no signs of concussion.

But brain injury charity Headway said Spurs were guilty of an "irresponsible and cavalier attitude", while both Fifpro and the Professional Footballers' Association said they want rules changed so players knocked unconscious are forced to leave the field.

Speaking on Wednesday, Villas-Boas claimed the collision could have been avoided.

"I don't want to question Lukaku because he is a good young player, but I think he could have jumped over Hugo," he said.