World Cup 2022: Neco Williams head injury - Wales' Robert Page defends decision
- Published
Neco Williams left the field after twice being treated on the pitch by Wales' medical staff
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Wales boss Robert Page has defended the decision to let Neco Williams play on after the full-back's head injury in the World Cup defeat against England.
Williams fell to the pitch after blocking Marcus Rashford's 24th-minute shot with the top of his head.
The Nottingham Forest defender continued for another 12 minutes before being replaced by Connor Roberts.
"Neco took a blow to the head, so there are protocols in place understandably with concussion," said Page.
"He passed the initial test. We followed the Fifa guidelines."
After his initial treatment, the Wales defender was assessed for a second time after sitting on the turf at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
Page said Williams was allowed to continue initially after passing Fifa's concussion test.
Brain injury charity Headway has criticised the handling of the incident, saying "yet again medics are given no options" and also called for the introduction of a temporary concussion rule.
Luke Griggs, Headway's interim chief executive, said: "This is the second incident at this World Cup where a player's brain health has not been prioritised.
"Medics are being forced to make snap judgements under pressure, which is resulting in players being allowed to stay on the field despite the assumed presence of at least some doubt over potential concussion.
"Fifa and Ifab's refusal to introduce a temporary concussion substitute rule is causing undue risk to players. The rule is supposed to be 'if in doubt, sit it out', not 'play on and see how it goes'.
"The longer Fifa and Ifab refuse to act, the less credibility they will have in any discussions about brain health in football.
"Their complacency when it comes to brain health is frankly shocking, it's time to take control of this situation and look after the players."
Former England captain Alan Shearer called for the introduction of temporary concussion substitutions earlier in the World Cup after a head injury suffered by Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand, while Jermaine Jenas described that incident as "unacceptable".
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