'IT WAS BAD'
Szoboszlai demands Uefa protocol change after Barnabas Varga horror injury in Hungary’s Euro 2024 win over Scotland
The match was stopped for several minutes due to the horrific incident
HUNGARY midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has called on Uefa to make a protocol change following Barnabas Varga's horrific head injury.
Varga, 29, was knocked unconscious after colliding with Angus Gunn during Hungary's Euro 2024 group stage match against Scotland on Sunday.
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He required immediate medical attention, but players were left furious when some paramedics appeared to walk onto the pitch.
Szoboszlai, Varga's team-mate, now believes Uefa should make a change to ensure players in a similar situation receive treatment as soon as possible.
At full-time, the Liverpool star said: "It looked bad, it was bad, it felt bad.
"I don't really know the protocols or how it works, but if our doctors say we need someone immediately to help, then I don't think they should walk.
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"It's not my decision, but I think we need to change something.
"Even if someone is on the ground, and you know that it was a big collision, then just go on [the pitch].
"Even if the referee is saying don't go on, just go on. And if you can see it's nothing serious, then you can just go down and it's finished. But seconds can help a lot."
But Uefa insisted that their protocols did not prevent immediate treatment.
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Inside Barnabas Varga's rise from semi-pro to Euro 2024
BARBABAS VARGA has enjoyed a meteoric rise from semi-pro leagues of Austria and Hungary to the Euro 2024 finals.
The Hungary striker played for six seasons, between 2010 and 2016 for SV Eberau in the Bergenlandliga - the regional fourth tier of Austrian football.
A record of over a goal every other game earned Varga a shot at the big time with with SV Mattersburg in the Austrian Bundesliga.
However, he scored only once in just 16 games over the next three seasons before dropping down to the second tier with SV Lafnitz.
After a mixed spell, Varga's next step was to his homeland, again in the second tier, with Gyirnot in 2020.
That's where it began to click for Varga and his eye for goal saw top division Paksi FC swoop.
Varga scored almost a goal a game in his first season with Paksi, finishing as the top scorer in the Hungarian league.
That earned the late bloomer an international debut, at the age of 28, in a Euro 2024 qualifier against Bulgaria.
One his third cap, away to Serbia, he netted his first Hungary goal.
Last summer, Varga joined Hungarian giants Ferencvaros and again got the golden boot as his side won the league, the first silverware of his career.
A statement read: "With regards to the medical intervention following the head injury suffered by Barnabas Varga of Hungary, 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."
Szoboszlai wore Varga's shirt after the match in a classy gesture following the incident.
And Hungary defender Milos Kerkez quickly issued an update on the forward's condition.
He took to social media to write: "Proud of everyone and thankful for the support in the stadium and the country! Our brother will be alright because he is strong."
Recalling the horrific incident, man of the match Roland Sallai said: "It was a terrible moment to see him like that. He’ll have to go through a minor operation, but we cross our fingers for him that he can return.
"Naturally, it was a terrible incident. Of course, we were fighting for him in the remaining minutes and this win is dedicated to him."
Marco Rossi's side went on to win 1-0 thanks to a late goal from Kevin Csoboth.
They subsequently finished third in Group A while Scotland crashed out of Euro 2024.
Varga will now miss the rest of the tournament due to the serious injury he suffered in the second half.
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