World Cup 2018: Fifa launch attack on Morocco after breaking concussion guidelines and allowing Nordin Amrabat to play against Portugal
Watford star faced Portugal just five days after suffering head injury in clash with Iran and national team doctors criticised for putting player's health at risk
FIFA have blasted the Moroccan FA for putting the health of Nordin Amrabat at risk by allowing him to play against Portugal despite suffering concussion.
Watford star Amrabat turned out in the Group B clash with Portugal yesterday just five days after being hospitalised after suffering a bad head injury.
Morocco ignored Fifa concussion protocols which state players cannot play for at least six days after such an impact on the head.
Amrabat started the 1-0 defeat in Moscow wearing a scrum cap, but soon discarded it to play without any protection.
And now Fifa have written to the Moroccan FA to give them answers why they ingored vital safety precautions and defied the regulations.
A Fifa spokesperson said: "FIFA takes its responsibility with regards to the issue of concussions very seriously.
"All team doctors of teams qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup took part in a workshop where they were provided with detailed information and guidelines concerning the proper handling of potential concussion incidents during the competition.
"Following the questionable handling of the concussion incident involving the Moroccan player Nouredine Amrabat during the match Morocco-Iran, FIFA wrote to the Moroccan team doctor to remind him of the importance to adhere to the guidelines that have been communicated.
"We refer you to the Moroccan FA for further details concerning the injury the player suffered and the decision to let him play the match against Portugal.
"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."
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Moroccan team doctors will now have to respond to Fifa's assertions they failed to act in the player's interests by letting him play.
But it also raises questions over whether the regulations in place are doing enough to ensure nations are not flouting them.
Questions were raised as soon as Amrabat's name was seen on the teamsheet, and some brain injury experts believe football does not do enough to protect players in concussion cases.
Peter McCabe, Chief Executive of Headway – the brain injury association, said: “On the face of it this appears to be a scant disregard for FIFA’s concussion protocols.
"The decision to allow this player to take to the field not only put his short and long-term health and career at risk but it also set a appalling example for the millions of fans and players around the world.
“FIFA must act – and act decisively - in order to send a clear message that breaches of this vital safety protocol will not be tolerated.”