Fifa has described Morocco’s decision to allow Nordin Amrabat to play against Portugal only five days after he suffered a concussion as “questionable”, as they said they had written to the African nation’s team doctor to remind him of their protocols.
Amrabat was taken off in Morocco’s opening Group B defeat against Iran last Friday after a clash of heads, in which he suffered memory loss and had to spend the night in hospital. “Until I woke up in the hospital, I think five, six hours totally gone,” the Watford winger said. “It’s a bit scary.”
Fifa’s guidelines suggest a minimum of six days between a concussion and returning to play but they do not have the authority to enforce this. The final decision rests with the team doctors. Amrabat started the Portugal game on Wednesday in a protective scrum cap but he discarded it early on.
He was excellent over the 90 minutes, although Morocco lost to exit the tournament. The manager, Hervé Renard, described him as a “warrior”.
“Following the questionable handling of the concussion incident involving the Moroccan player, [Nordin] Amrabat, during the Morocco-Iran match, Fifa wrote to the Moroccan team doctor to remind him of the importance to adhere to the guidelines that have been communicated,” the governing body said in a statement.
“While the assessment and case management of concussion incidents falls under the sole responsibility of the respective team doctors, Fifa will address this matter with the Moroccan FA and, speaking in general terms, Fifa will monitor closely this matter throughout the competition.”
Fifa added that the Moroccan Football Federation would need to explain why Amrabat was allowed to play against Portugal.
The decision sparked anger from the world players’ union, FifPro, and brain-injury experts. There were concussion incidents at the last World Cup in Brazil, including one in the final when the Germany midfielder Christoph Kramer slumped to the ground.
“This is yet another alarming example of a player being put in harm’s way,” FifPro said. “Amrabat returned to action too soon according to medical guidelines. Four years on from the debacle of the last World Cup, where several players did not receive adequate care, football has not made sufficient progress in concussion management. Repeated calls to implement world-class safety standards have been overlooked.”