Barnabas Varga broke several facial bones, according to Hungarian football officials – but there has been concern among their players over how long it took for the forward to receive treatment on the pitch after he was injured.
UEFA has defended the length of time it took for medical staff to treat Hungary’s Barnabas Varga after he suffered a serious head injury in his side’s Euro 2024 match with Scotland.
Hungary’s players have criticised medical staff for the speed of their response – but in a statement on Monday, European football’s governing body said the correct procedures had been followed and there was “no delay” in treating Varga.
Players were seen waving frantically for assistance as Varga, who broke several bones in his face, lay motionless on the ground.
The 29-year-old forward was hurt in a collision with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn in the second half of the group A encounter at the Stuttgart Arena in Germany.
Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai, who was seen grabbing the stretcher to try to hurry the medics along, criticised the time he felt it took for treatment to be provided and called for action to improve safety protocols for players.
The Liverpool midfielder said: “I don’t understand this kind of protocol, why the medical staff don’t rush in at this time?
“This question remains for everyone, so I hope that everyone can save a few seconds and save a life.
“I hope we will never have to experience this again. Something needs to be done.”
UEFA said: “We would like to clarify that the intervention of the team doctor happened within 15 seconds of the incident, followed immediately by the second stadium doctor, to conduct a first assessment of the injury and provide appropriate treatment, as per customary medical procedures.
“The qualified pitchside emergency team were waiting pitchside, according to their protocol, and arrived with the stretcher as soon as their intervention was requested by the medics to evacuate the player for his immediate transfer to hospital.
“The coordination between all the medical staff on site was professional and everything was done in accordance with the applicable medical procedures.
“There was no delay in the treatment of and assistance to the player.”
Read more on Sky News:
Key player back in training for England at Euro 2024
Anger over leak of Andy Murray’s medical details
Hungary’s coach Marco Rossi said the Ferencvaros forward had regained consciousness before leaving the pitch and was taken to hospital where his condition was stable.
The Hungarian football federation later confirmed Varga had broken several facial bones and suffered a concussion. He is now set to undergo surgery.
On Monday afternoon, Gunn posted on social media: “Relieved to see that Barnabas Varga, the Hungarian forward, is in a stable condition and wish him a speedy and full recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the pitch in the very near future.”
Scotland were knocked out of Euro 2024 after losing the match 1-0 following Kevin Csoboth’s late winner.