Robin Koch: Pundit raises ‘massive concern’ after ‘hearing from Leeds medical team’
Alex McLeish has urged for much stricter concussion protocols after Leeds United issued an update on Robin Koch.
The former Scotland manager, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, shot down the Whites’ proposal for temporary substitutes after the 25-year-old’s head injury against Manchester United.
In a statement issued on Monday (21 February), Leeds stated their medical team “have always been in favour of temporary substitutions for head injuries”.
Koch was given the green light to play after clashing with Scott McTominay.
However, he came off with concussion symptoms 18 minutes later.
Leeds stated the Germany international passed “all of the on-field concussion screening tests”.
However, McLeish suggested such incidents should see players taken off immediately.
Reacting to Leeds’ statement, McLeish told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I read that. It was quite interesting to hear from the Leeds medical team suggesting bringing on a player for 10 minutes. See how he is, if he recovers from it.
“Then again, how do you know he’s okay? Sometimes you’re like: ‘I’m okay to go back on,’ but your head’s still rattling a wee bit. Only scans and things can tell if you’ve really been affected by the knock.
“There is obviously massive concern about head injuries. I’m not so sure about bringing a player on while a player is off. Then if he’s okay, you can bring the temporary sub off.
“It smacks of other sports and I’m not sure it should be the same in football.
Asked if any players suffering a suspected concussion should be immediately substituted off, McLeish said: “Yeah. I don’t think you should take risks on this. No risks.”
Koch suffered the injury after 13 minutes in Leeds’ 4-2 defeat.
He eventually came off after 31 minutes.
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