Barnabas Varga, a striker for Hungary, collided horribly with the Scotland custodian during the Euro 2024 group match, leaving him unconscious.
Dominik Szoboszlai was seen urging medical staff to act quickly following the incident (Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
After Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool demanded that protocols in medical emergencies be adjusted in response to Barnabas Varga’s horrific injury, UEFA retaliated against Szoboszlai.
Szoboszlai’s free kick caused a collision during Hungary’s 1-0 Euro 2024 group round victory over Scotland. After grabbing the ball, Scotland’s Angus Gunn struck Varga in midair, breaking his cheekbone. He will require surgery.
In order to shield the striker, players held up sheets during the extended treatment the player received on the pitch. Then, Hungarian players could be seen pushing the stretcher-bearers to be at the situation more quickly. Szoboszlai grabbed the stretcher and sprinted in Varga’s direction.
Following the game, Szoboszlai emphasised that when horrific events occur on a football field, the existing procedures need to be altered. “He needs some surgery on his face and his nose,” he stated. “I believe the procedure will be performed on Monday, the following day. He felt horrible, it looked bad, and it was bad.
“Our physicians say we need support right now, therefore I don’t think they should walk. I don’t really know the [medical team] process or how it works. Though it’s not my choice, I believe there should be a change. Simply proceed onto [the pitch] even if there is someone on the ground and you can see that there was a significant [crash].
“Even if the official is telling you not to continue. Proceed without hesitation. If it appears to be nothing significant, you can simply go down and it will be resolved. Seconds go a long way.”
“With regards to the medical intervention following the head injury suffered by Barnabás Varga of Hungary, we would like to clarify that the team doctor intervened 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, in accordance with customary medical procedures,” UEFA responded in a statement to the Liverpool ECHO.
“As per their policy, the qualified pitchside emergency crew was waiting pitchside and brought the stretcher as soon as the medics asked for their assistance in evacuating the player so that he could be taken to the hospital right away. All of the medical personnel on site coordinated with professionalism, and everything was done in compliance with the relevant medical protocols.
“There was no delay in the treatment of and assistance to the player.”
