Bentancur injury shock: Ex-PGMOL chief reacts to Tottenham v Liverpool footage
Keith Hackett was happy to see the correct procedures being put in place when Rodrigo Bentancur went off with an injury in the first half of Tottenham versus Liverpool on Wednesday night.
The first leg of Spurs’ Carabao Cup clash was paused for around eight minutes after Bentancur, 27, went down with a serious injury.
When attacking a corner kick, the Uruguay midfielder dived away from the goal to win a header.
How did Benactur get injured in Tottenham v Liverpool?
However, he landed awkwardly and Sky Sports’ footage showed the ex-Juventus star unable to move, as though he’d been knocked unconscious.
It’s unclear what injury Bentancur sustained but as he was stretchered off, you could clearly see he was receiving oxygen and his neck was in a brace.
Former PGMOL general manager Hackett has said that those procedures were brought in place after ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech suffered a skull fracture almost 20 years ago.
“There was a long delay in the Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool game due to a serious injury. Bentancur was carried off the pitch on a stretcher after a long delay ensuring appropriate treatment by the doctor and paramedics on hand,” Hackett told Tottenham News.
“A lot has changed since that game in 2006 when Chelsea were playing Reading.
“In that game, Peter Cech sustained a very serious, life-threatening head injury. If you look at the pictures you can see that he was carried off on a stretcher.
“Following a review of that incident, the CEO instigated a review, out of which the Premier League went ahead and appointed and provided doctor and senior paramedic to every game.
“In addition, a designated ambulance was on standby at the ground. Oxygen, defibrillator and appropriate head-restraining products were introduced.
“It was reassuring that following tonight’s injury that those procedures were in evidence.”
Bentancur has made 19 appearances in all competitions this season for Spurs.
He’s already missed seven Premier League games through suspension and had a head injury earlier this term.
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