UEFA Defends Medical Protocol in Hungary-Scotland Match

UEFA has responded to Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai’s remarks on the medical treatment given to his teammate, Barnabas Varga, during their Euro 2024 match against Scotland on Sunday, 23 June.

In the 68th minute, Varga was involved in a horrific collision with Scotland goalkeeper, Angus Gunn, resulting in the striker being knocked unconscious.

After being attended to by medical personnel, Varga was stretchered off the pitch and hospitalised; the 29-year-old is now in a stable condition after undergoing surgery for facial fractures.

In the aftermath of the game – which Hungary won 1-0 – Szoboszlai criticised the slow response of the pitchside medics who treated Varga.

“I don’t understand this kind of protocol, why the medical staff don’t rush in at this time,” said the skipper, who – along with his teammates – was seen gesturing towards the medics to hurry up during the incident.

“This question remains for everyone, so I hope that everyone can save a few seconds and save a life.”

In response, UEFA issued this statement on Monday, 24 June:

“We would like to clarify that the intervention of the team doctor happened within 15 seconds of the incident, followed immediately by the second stadium doctor, to conduct a first assessment of the injury and provide appropriate treatment, as per customary medical procedures.

“The qualified pitchside emergency team were waiting pitchside … and arrived with the stretcher as soon as their intervention was requested by the medics to evacuate the player for his immediate transfer to hospital.”

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