Flying Dutchman Jeremie Frimpong lasted only 30 minutes of Celtic’s 3-2 Europa League victory over Lille on Thursday night. The winger was involved in the incident that led to the penalty kick which was converted by Callum McGregor to put the hosts 2-1 up, during a frantic spell in the first half which saw three goals scored in less than 10 minutes.
It was an unfortunate end to the game for Frimpong, who had started the game very well. There was an incident that happened before this, however, that prompted former striker and pundit Chris Sutton to remind us all of something which he has been at the forefront of in recent weeks – head injuries.
Frimpong crashed into the advertising hoardings at the side of the pitch, it looked particularly nasty for the birthday Bhoy. After being quickly checked over he was allowed to carry on playing.
Sutton responded on Twitter – “Jeremie Frimpong smashes his head off the advertising boards, sickening crash. Within a minute or two he’s back up and on the pitch. When is football going to take blows to the head seriously and players to get checked out properly”…
Jeremie Frimpong smashes his head off the advertising boards at the side of the pitch. Sickening crash. Within a minute or two he’s up and back on the pitch after a quick check. When is football going to take blows to the head seriously and players to get checked out properly.
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) December 10, 2020
The outspoken Englishman has been in the press recently talking very candidly about his own father who has Dementia, and has spoken passionately about former players like Nobby Stiles who recently passed away with the disease, and Sir Bobby Charlton who was diagnosed within the last month.
Hopefully action will be taken sooner than later. Perhaps there could be a new rule similar to what they have in rugby when a player is bleeding, where a footballer with a head-knock is allowed five minutes to be assessed and a temporary replacement is allowed on to the park while that is happening? It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Brian McVeigh
