TOTTENHAM MANAGER Andre Villas-Boas has defended the decision to let Hugo Lloris play on despite being knocked out against Everton.
Goalkeeper Lloris was left unconscious after colliding with Romelu Lukaku during the second half of Tottenham’s meeting with Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.
However, club doctor Shabaaz Mughal and physio Geoff Scott cleared the France international to continue after he regained consciousness, a decision that has been criticised by FIFA’s chief medical officer Jiri Dvorak and brain injury charity Headway.
Villas-Boas hit back today, branding critics as “incompetent” in a staunch defence of staff who helped save the life of former Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba after he suffered a cardiac arrest in an FA Cup tie at White Hart Lane in March 2012.
“I stand absolutely by the decision I took and I stand by the decision that the medical department took following the checks that they made on the player,” said Villas-Boas.
“All the checks were according to the book. I have registered the fact that a couple of people have taken this opportunity to find the chance to get themselves publicised who have no experience in the pitch whatever in these type of situations.
“And I find it extremely disappointing that two people — a great doctor and a great physio, who saved the life of Muamba, were heavily put into question by lots of incompetent people, with absolutely no experience on the pitch, no experience in the action, no experience in the moment.
“That is extremely serious and disappointing.”
