Spurs keeper head injury row

Tottenham Hotspur have insisted medical staff were "totally satisfied" that Hugo Lloris was fit to continue playing against Everton after criticism from Fifa and a leading charity over their decision not to substitute the French goalkeeper.

In a statement, head of medical services Wayne Diesel said: "Once the relevant tests and assessments were carried out we were totally satisfied that he was fit to continue playing."

Leading brain injury charity Headway accused Spurs of showing an "irresponsible and cavalier attitude to a player's health" after manager Andre Villas-Boas failed to substitute the keeper despite losing consciousness following a collision with Everton striker Romelu Lukaku.

The Club also confirmed that Lloris underwent a precautionary CT scan and was subsequently given the all-clear.

Read: Fifa: 'Lloris should have been substituted'

Fifa's chief medical officer has insisted Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris should have been substituted after being knocked unconscious during Sunday's match against Everton.

Professor Jiri Dvorak said there was a "99 per cent probability" that Lloris would have been concussed after being knocked out when his head made contact with Romelu Lukaku's knee, and should of been replaced under Fifa's guidelines.

"The player should have been substituted. The fact the other player needed ice on his knee means it's obvious the blow was extensive," Professor Dvorak said.

Andre Villas-Boas praised his goalkeeper's "great character" for wanting to continue, but Dvorak insisted the player's view should not of been taken into account:

"When he has been knocked unconscious, the player himself may not see the reality. I do not know the details but I know that the Premier League doctors are extremely good and I can imagine that the doctor may have recommended he be replaced."

"We have a slogan: if there is any doubt, keep the player out."

Read: Spurs showed an 'irresponsible attitude to Lloris' health'

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas has defended his decision not to substitute Hugo Lloris after the goalkeeper suffered a head injury during the draw with Everton on Sunday.

The Portuguese manager praised the goalkeeper's "great character" for wanting to continue, and cited a good late save from Gerard Deulofeu as evidence that he was correct to keep Lloris in the pitch.

"He doesn't remember it so he lost consciousness. It was a big knock but he looked composed and ready to continue."

Speaking after the game, he added: "Hugo seemed assertive and determined to continue and showed great character and personality. We decided to keep him on based on that.

"The call always belongs to me. Brad was ready to come in but the person Hugo is, there were enough signs for him to continue."

Brain injury charity Headway said the Tottenham Hotspur manager's decision was "dangerous" and "irresponsible".

Tottenham Hotspur's decision to allow goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to play on despite suffering a head injury was "irresponsible", a leading brain injury charity has said.

"We are hugely concerned that a professional football club should take such an irresponsible and cavalier attitude to a player's health," Headway spokesman Luke Griggs told ITV News.

"When a player - or any individual - suffers a blow to the head that is severe enough for them to lose consciousness, it is vital they urgently seek appropriate medical attention.

"A physio or doctor treating a player on the pitch simply cannot accurately gauge the severity of the damage caused to the player's brain in such a setting as there may be delayed presentation of symptoms.

"By continuing to play, the player may have caused greater damage to his brain. He should have been removed from the game immediately and taken to hospital for thorough tests and observation."

Read: Spurs criticised for letting keeper play on with head injury

Tottenham Hotspur have been criticised by a leading brain injury charity for allowing goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to play on against Everton despite suffering a head injury.

The France international, 26, went down after colliding with Everton striker Romelu Lukaku in the latter stages of the 0-0 draw on Sunday.

Despite a lengthy delay and the keeper appearing to lose consciousness, Spurs Manager Andre Villas-Boas decided not to substitute the goalkeeper.

Brain injury charity Headway said the decision was wrong and that the player may have caused greater damage to his brain by continuing in the game.