ALAN SHEARER has called for independent doctors to rule on player head injuries after the “ridiculous” decision to let Fabian Schar play on for Switzerland.
The Newcastle defender, 27, was knocked out cold in a clash of heads with Georgia’s Jemal Tabidze during Saturday’s Euro 2020 qualifier.
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But despite Schar needing emergency help from opponent Jano Ananidze to stop him swallowing his tongue, Swiss medics let him continue once he regained consciousness.
Furious Newcastle staff have since spoken to Switzerland and Schar has been withdrawn from tonight’s game with Denmark.
And Toon legend Shearer, who filmed a BBC documentary in 2017 about the link between football head injuries and dementia, believes it is time for radical change.
The SunSport columnist said: “There is no way in the world that Fabian Schar should have been allowed to play on. It’s ridiculous.
“For games at the top level, there needs to be an independent doctor not connected to any country or any club. They can watch the footage and make a decision that is final.
“If there is any doubt whatsoever, you get the player off the pitch.
“There is no way an independent doctor would have allowed someone who was knocked out to carry on.”
Shearer also believes football must follow rugby’s lead and allow doctors to intervene before a referee has stopped play.
He added: “Why should a doctor wait for a referee to call him on when there is something as serious as a head injury?
“Doesn’t that show how far behind rugby we are? If an independent doctor is watching the game, he knows what has happened and should be straight on the pitch.
Newcastle were concerned by Saturday’s incident and demanded answers from Switzerland, leading to Schar’s withdrawal from the Denmark clash.
But Shearer added: “Newcastle shouldn’t have to get involved. It’s nonsensical
“Switzerland let Schar play on and then pull him out of the next game two days later.”
Schar helped set up Switzerland’s two goals against Georgia when he carried on — but admitted after the match: “I can’t remember anything. My skull is still humming.”
Headway chief executive Peter McCabe said: “What is it going to take to make football take concussion seriously?
“How many more players will have their careers and their lives and long-term health put at risk by the sport’s inability to follow its own protocols?
“The decision to allow Fabian Schar to return to the field after a concussion was not only dangerous but also a dereliction of duty.
“Uefa must immediately launch an investigation into the incident and explain why their protocols were not followed.”
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