• Premier League

Courtois defends Chelsea handling of head injury

ESPN staff
October 12, 2014
D'Hooghe: Concussions remain a serious danger

Thibaut Courtois has defended Chelsea's handling of the head injury he suffered in last weekend's win against Arsenal.

The goalkeeper suffered the injury in a collision with Alexis Sanchez during Chelsea's 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge, leaving him dizzy and bleeding from one ear.

Thibaut Courtois suffered a head injury after colliding with Alexis Sanchez © Getty Images
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He was initially cleared to continue by Chelsea doctor Eva Carneiro and medical director Paco Biosca, but was withdrawn and replaced by Petr Cech more than 13 minutes later after his symptoms worsened.

Chelsea's handling of the situation was criticised by Headway, a charity that supports those suffering from brain injuries, who questioned whether the Premier League's new regulations - which dictate that players must be substituted if a concussion is suspected - were adhered to.

But Courtois, 22, who played 90 minutes for Belgium in their 6-0 European qualifier win over Andorra on Friday, praised the work of the club's medical staff, who were also backed by FIFA's chief medical officer.

"The doctor of Chelsea did well, I think,'' Courtois told Sky Sports. "She asked me the questions she needed to ask and I could repeat immediately so I was feeling well and didn't have to come off.

"I didn't feel I was knocked out, but I was hit. I didn't have a headache or anything, but after a few minutes I felt worse and worse. Then I started to feel a little dizzy and I couldn't see the ball any more and there was a little blood coming from my ear. Because I saw trouble, I went off.

"I know you have to be careful, but I was not really knocked out."

Courtois underwent a series of tests in hospital, which forced him to join up with Belgium a day later than the rest of the squad.

"I had some neck pains, dizziness, and headaches for a few days afterwards, so that's why I stayed in England," he explained. "I had neurological tests to see if my brain was responding correctly and, after it was OK, I travelled to Belgium."

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