Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai has criticized the medical staff’s response after Barnabas Varga suffered a head injury during their win over Scotland.
In a thrilling clash that both teams needed to win to keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive, Varga collided with Scottish goalkeeper Angus Gunn in the 67th minute.
The match was interrupted for about seven minutes when the 29-year-old attacker lay motionless on the ground.
Both teams signaled for medical staff to hurry, and Varga was initially treated on the pitch while players and stewards held up the sheets.
Varga was then taken away on a stretcher and rushed to hospital, where he is reportedly in a stable condition after suffering a broken cheekbone.
Dominik Szoboszlai slammed the medical staff’s response after his teammate was involved in a horror collision during their win over Scotland
Sheets were raised around Barnabas Varga as the Hungarian striker was treated
The 29-year-old was taken from the field on a stretcher and then taken to hospital
Szoboszlai was among the Hungarian players who broke down in tears after the incident, and the Liverpool star has insisted the delay by medical staff in administering treatment could have had serious consequences.
“I was one of the first people there.” Szoboszlai told Magenta TV.
‘I was shocked myself, I tried to put him on his side, which is actually the best thing you can do in these kinds of situations. He couldn’t get enough air
‘I have no idea what the protocol is, whether people are not allowed to run onto the field if we need help, but…’
Asked if he thought the response wasn’t quick enough, the 23-year-old continued: ‘I don’t think so.
‘You can see that it is a big problem. Everyone was running, I was running – these things add up to seconds.
‘It’s not my decision, but we have to change it. We have to do it faster, much faster. Everyone knows that seconds count.’
The medical staff’s response was also criticized by supporters on social media. Many wondered why Varga had not received medical attention sooner, especially after Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
One wrote: ‘That German medical team in #Scotland and #Hungary was the worst!!! Wtf were they walking!! This was the worst organization of a tournament Wtf Germany!!’
Another added: ‘it’s weird that there doesn’t seem to be any protocol for these urgent medical emergencies after 2021… the fact that Szoboszlai had to pull the stretcher onto the pitch himself is absolutely insane’
A third fan agreed: ‘Such a shame what happened in the Hungary-Scotland match because of the first aid staff. FFS you see a serious accident like Eriksen’s 3 years ago and YOU RUN not RUN!!!!!!!!!! We see too many organizational problems in Germany’
The 23-year-old wondered why medical staff had not entered the field immediately after the incident
Liverpool star stressed response to serious collisions must be ‘much faster’
A number of supporters echoed Szoboszlai’s views on social media after the match
A fourth wrote: So Scotland is out. Hectic last 10 minutes or so, but Hungary takes it at the end. Hopefully Vargas recovers. Questions need to be asked as to why medics literally walked through with a stretcher, as if they were walking through the park. There is no urgency at all. As shocking as it is crazy.’
Hungary boss Marco Rossi revealed in his post-match press conference that Varga will require surgery and will no longer play a role in the tournament if they progress.
“The players said he looked unconscious, so everyone was very concerned about his condition and concerned about the fact that the doctors arrived too late, we can say, but they probably didn’t realize it was a dangerous situation,” Rossi said .
‘Fortunately he is not at risk, he is having surgery here [his cheek].
‘He’s healthy, and that’s the most important thing. If we continue, he will no longer be part of the team.’
In the wake of the injury, the BBC said it was “shocked” that UEFA had chosen to broadcast replays of the incident.
Host Gabby Logan said after his full-time appearance: “Huge condolences to Scotland and their Tartan Army in Stuttgart and beyond. It wouldn’t be for Scotland again.
“And, just to echo Steve’s [Wilson] thoughts there, all our thoughts are of course with Barnabas Varga after that sickening collision and we will keep you posted as we get any information. At this time we have nothing more on his condition.
“We were as shocked as you were when they replayed that incident. There are protocols around this kind of thing after Christian Eriksen three years ago.
Hungarian boss Marco Rossi revealed that Varga is currently in stable condition in hospital and will undergo surgery for a broken cheekbone
His teammates held up the striker’s shirt after completing a dramatic win in Stuttgart
‘And we were very surprised that UEFA chose to show that replay. That’s why we immediately switched to a wide angle as soon as possible.’
The match eventually restarted in the 74th minute, with a total of ten minutes of injury time added after the 90.
With a goalless draw likely to see both teams eliminated from the tournament, Kevin Csoboth finished off a counter-attack deep into stoppage time to fire Hungary to victory and give them a chance to progress from Group A.