Uefa has defended the speed with which treatment was given to Hungary’s Barnabas Varga during Sunday’s Group A win over Scotland, after the Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai added to criticism of medical staff for what he perceived as a slow reaction to his teammate’s injury. European football’s governing body insists Varga was attended to with “no delay”.
Varga appeared to collide with the elbow of Angus Gunn, the Scotland goalkeeper, when attempting to meet a Szoboszlai free-kick in the 68th minute. The seriousness of the situation was instantly apparent, and two medics reached him inside 20 seconds. About 45 seconds after the collision, sheeting was placed around Varga to block the view of others in the Stuttgart Stadium and watching on television. It was later revealed Varga had initially been unconscious, sustained a concussion and required surgery on several broken bones in his face. The Hungarian football association said on Monday night that surgery had been successful and that he is due to leave hospital on Wednesday.
Even after the doctors were at Varga’s side on the pitch, Hungary players were quick to gesture for a stretcher and further medical intervention. The calls became increasingly vocal and a stretcher reached the forward almost 90 seconds after Hungary had first called for one. When the stretcher bearers came on to the pitch, colleagues of Varga and supporters were unimpressed to see them walking rather than running. Marco Rossi, the Hungary manager, suggested disquiet at the time it took Varga to be dealt with. Szoboszlai, the captain, went further.
“I don’t understand this kind of protocol, why the medical staff don’t rush in at this time,” Szoboszlai said. “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.” Szoboszlai had been seen in tears as Varga lay on the turf. Hungary’s players had clearly motioned medical staff to move more quickly towards the 29-year-old.
Uefa responded with a statement on Monday. “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,” it said.
“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.”
Gunn posted a goodwill message to Varga via 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,” he wrote.
Hungary won 1-0, courtesy of a 100th-minute goal which maintained hopes of reaching the last 16. Scotland were eliminated by Kevin Csoboth’s winner.
