Jan Vertonghen injury: Tottenham defender reports ‘no ill-effects’ after clash of heads

The defender had to be helped off the field shortly after attempting to play on following an ugly clash of heads with team-mate Toby Alderweireld during Tuesday's 1-0 defeat by Ajax

Jan Vertonghen has “reported no ill-effects” after sustaining a blow to the head during Tottenham’s 1-0 Champions League defeat by Ajax on Tuesday night.

The defender had to be helped off the field shortly after attempting to play on following an ugly clash of heads with team-mate Toby Alderweireld.

Questions were raised about Tottenham’s handling of the injury, having allowed Vertonghen to initially return to the field of play before he came close to keeling over on the sidelines, but the club has insisted all concussion guidelines were correctly followed on the night.

After undergoing tests on Wednesday, Tottenham announced that the 32-year-old had returned clear results and would be meeting with a neurologist in the coming days.

“Jan Vertonghen has undergone further assessment today (Wednesday 1 May) after sustaining a head injury in last night’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Ajax,” the club said. “He also suffered a small cut to his nose that was bleeding heavily.

“Tests today have been clear and testing will continue for the next few days. Additionally, as is standard Club policy with certain injuries, we shall also be seeking independent advice and Jan is due to see a neurologist, who specialises in elite athletes, tomorrow. The player has reported no ill-effects today.”

Vertonghen released his own statement on social media, saying: “Not the way I wanted the game to go last night. Feeling ok today. Thanks to both sets of fans for the positive messages.”

The defender challenged for a header in the Ajax area during the first half of the match but hit his face into the back of Alderweireld’s head, leaving him with a blood-soaked shirt and shorts. According to the club he passed all routine on-pitch testing before being allowed to change his bloodied kit and return.

Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz was seen repeatedly pointing at his head as he spoke to Vertonghen and consulted with Tottenham’s medical team, before finally allowing him back onto the field of play.

However, Vertonghen lasted only 40 seconds before going across to the sideline, leaning over and struggling to stand. Manager Mauricio Pochettino had to grab Vertonghen to stop him from keeling over before the Belgian was helped down the tunnel by two medical officials.

“The Belgium defender was assessed on the pitch yesterday immediately after the incident with our medical team strictly following Football Association concussion guidelines,” the club said in its Wednesday statement.

“Following testing he was judged to be alert and answered all questions correctly and lucidly, deeming him fit to return to the field of play.

“All available video footage was relayed to our on-pitch medical team and they were able to confirm that he had suffered no loss of consciousness.

“Jan was immediately withdrawn as a result of the player informing medical staff that symptoms were developing suddenly and that he no longer felt stable standing up.”

During his post-match press conference, Pochettino insisted he was “not involved” in the decision to allow Vertonghen to continue.

“For me, first of all, we must protect the player’s [health] and of course I wasn’t out of the conversation, but our medical staff follow the protocol and they decided that it was possible to restart the game and possible for him to play again.

“In that moment the doctor decided it is okay. I am never going to be involved, I wasn’t in the past and I won’t be in the future. In that type of situation the medical staff and doctor are the boss of this decision.”

Tottenham’s handling of the incident has reignited the conversation around how football handles potential concussions.

The club’s medical staff came under immediate criticism from the former American football player Taylor Twellman, who suffered a serious head injury in 2008 and ultimately saw his playing career ended by the threat of further damage.

Following the Vertonghen incident, Twellman tweeted: “Vertonghen under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should have been allowed to come back onto the field.....DISGUSTING PATHETIC demonstration from Tottenham medical staff!”