Leeds defend treatment of Robin Koch head injury as PFA attack ‘failing’ concussion protocols

Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Leeds United have defended their medical staff’s treatment of Robin Koch’s head injury and subsequent decision to allow the defender to return to the pitch amid criticism from the Professional Footballers’ Association that concussion protocols are “failing” player safety. “The injury to Leeds United’s Robin Koch demonstrates again that the current concussion protocols within football are failing to prioritise player safety,” the PFA said in a statement. “The ‘if in doubt, sit them out’ protocol is not being applied consistently within the pressurised environment of elite competitive football.” In an update regarding Koch on Monday, Leeds said the player was being treated for concussion and is following return-to-play protocols, but defended their decision to allow Koch to return to the pitch during the match. “Leeds United can confirm that following a clash of heads, Robin Koch passed all of the on-field concussion screening tests that are currently part of the Premier League protocols.