Robin Koch: Ex-defender calls for two significant changes after Leeds United statement
Alan Hutton has called for a change of head injury protocols after Leeds United issued a statement on Robin Koch’s status.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Scotland defender backed the Whites’ proposal for temporary substitutes and insisted “impartial” medical staff should carry out concussion protocols.
In a statement issued on Monday (21 February), Leeds confirmed Koch passed “all of the on-field concussion screening tests” after clashing with Scott McTominay.
The midfielder went off with concussion symptoms minutes later.
In their statement, Leeds said their medical staff “have always been in favour of temporary substitutions for head injuries”.
Hutton backed the Whites’ proposal for change and suggested head injuries should be assessed by a neutral doctor moving forward.
Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “As a football player, you’re always going to want to play on. I did it years ago when I was at Mallorca.
“I got a bad head knock and I played on. Eventually, I couldn’t really see anything and had to come off. That was 15, 20 minutes after the injury.
“I think they should have somebody there who’s impartial. You come off as the player who’s had the head knock and go to that person, much like they do in the NFL.
“They have got a little tent by the side. You have an examination and they make the judgement. Not you as a player and not your manager because you’re important to the team or it’s a big game or whatever.
“Totally take it out of everybody’s hands, that doctor there makes the call. Can you play or can you not?
“Of course, if you’re down a man and it takes 10, 15 minutes, you have a sub to come on. That’s why you’ve got a big squad.
“Then you can decide: ‘Right, let’s bring this player back on, he’s good to go’ or ‘No, sorry, you have to sit out.’ You’ve already made your sub.
“It’s quite as simple as that. I don’t think it’s such a big deal to be able to make that change.”
Koch, 25, played 31 minutes against Manchester United before coming off.
The Whites lost 4-2 to their fierce rivals.
In other news, Leeds United employee expects senior star to be axed against Liverpool.