'Enough is enough': Premier League facing criticism for treatment of Robin Koch's head injury

Robin Koch was eventually substituted after showing signs of concussion.

Leeds United's Robin Koch suffered a head injury against Manchester United, and a leading charity have suggested that the following treatment didn't follow protocol.

Koch clashed with Scott McTominay in the 12th minute of Sunday's Premier League match, and the German defender was left with a cut above his eye.

He was treated by medical staff before being allowed to return to the field until the 31st minute, when he was eventually withdrawn after signalling that his vision was unclear.

Leeds United insist that all treatment followed Premier League protocol, but Koch's return to the field has triggered backlash from leading brain injury charity, Headway.

Headway deputy chief executive Luke Griggs said: "Yet again we are left completely frustrated and confused by football's approach to concussion.

"Medics have a tough time when trying to make on-pitch concussion assessments. The game simply has to help them by implementing temporary concussion substitutes.

"It is hard to believe that if they had 10 minutes to assess the player in the quiet confines of the dressing room that they would have come to the conclusion that he was fit to continue.

Thank you for your many messages. I wanted to support the team for longer yesterday, but unfortunately I couldn't do it. Thanks to our medical staff for the good care. I feel much better today and will be back soon. @LUFC pic.twitter.com/L6DXflFzAP
— Robin Koch (@RobinKoch25) February 21, 2022

"We need urgent answers from the Premier League as their reputation is on the line here.

"Concussion protocols in all sports clearly state 'if in doubt, sit it out'. The Premier League needs to come out and explain to everyone - particularly impressionable youngsters and grassroots players - what the word 'doubt' actually means because I think we have a different definition."

Football Association guidelines state that any player who sustains a suspected concussion should immediately be removed from the pitch, and extra permanent substitutions are allowed in such cases.

However, it appeared as though Leeds turned down the option of making a 'concussion substitution' on Sunday, instead opting to use one of their three regulation changes.

? Injury Update: Robin Koch
— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 21, 2022

The club have since released a statement on the situation, claiming that Koch passed all the on-field assessments they are instructed to carry out.

"The player was told if he developed any symptoms he should sit down on the field of play and would be substituted immediately, which is what Robin did in the 29th minute of the game.

"The medical staff at Leeds United have always been in favour of temporary substitutions for head injuries, as it would allow the staff more time to assess an injury and allow a period for symptoms to potentially develop.

"Robin will follow the concussion protocols before returning to play."

The call for temporary concussion substitutions was echoed by the PFA:

The injury to Leeds United’s Robin Koch demonstrates again that the current concussion protocols within football are failing to prioritise player safety.#thread ? pic.twitter.com/RgDVZqXmtX
— Professional Footballers' Association (@PFA) February 21, 2022

"The injury to Leeds United's Robin Koch demonstrates again that the current concussion protocols within football are failing to prioritise player safety.

"We see frequent incidents of players returning to play with a potential brain injury, only to be removed shortly afterwards once symptoms visibly worsen."

The PFA added: "Put simply, the current rules set by IFAB (the International Football Association Board) are not working, and players are being put at risk."