Robin Koch: Medical expert backs Leeds staff as statement on ‘life-threatening’ incident issued
Leeds United medical staff would never knowingly have cleared Robin Koch to play against Man United if they suspected he was in danger.
That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.
Koch clashed heads with Scott McTominay in the 4-2 defeat to the Red Devils at Elland Road last Sunday (20 February).
The German defender initially played on after being assessed by the Leeds medical team but was ultimately taken off just minutes later.
Leeds confirmed on Monday (21 February) that Koch passed all on-pitch tests at the time but is now being treated in line with concussion protocols.
Brain injury charity Headway has criticised the Whites’ handling of the incident, per Sky Sports later that day.
But Dinnery defended the Leeds medical staff’s response.
He told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams: “Not every head injury is a concussion and symptoms can be delayed.”
“I don’t for one second believe that medical practitioners would go on a field of play without a player’s health and wellbeing as their primary focus.
“The effects of making that wrong decision can be life-threatening. That’s not a call you want on your conscience.
“So I 100 per cent don’t think they would risk a player’s health knowingly. Bielsa said the problem with the blood forced the substitution.
“But a later statement said they’d asked Koch to sit down on the field of play if he felt any lightheadedness.
“The club have aslo now confirmed that he is following concussion protocols.
“You would ideally have about 10 minutes to carry out a comprehensive diagnostic test.
“It may be that there were no overt red flags when the medical team went on the pitch.
“You’re relying massively on the player to communicate what he’s thinking. That can be difficult in a time-crunched environment.“
Koch did not feature as Leeds were thumped 6-0 by Liverpool last night (23 February).
The 25-year old has made nine appearances in an injury-hit season so far.
In other news, Leeds United employee issues “brilliant” claim after what he’s heard from Bielsa.