Gabby Logan admits she and the BBC were ‘shocked’ by UEFA’s decision to show a replay of Barnabas Varga’s head injury during Hungary’s win against Scotland at Euro 2024 on Sunday evening.
In the second half, Varga and Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn collided in the air; after landing, Varga remained immobile.
Before the medical personnel of the national team, who were first sluggish to respond, hurried onto the field to place Varga in a recovery posture, Hungary’s players came to Varga’s help.
Later, Varga was covered by blankets held up by stewards and the Hungarian players while he got medical care.
The BBC covered the event, playing back a repeat of it before pausing to offer a broader view of the field while Varga was attended to by medical personnel.
Logan then went on to say that the BBC was “surprised” by UEFA’s request that it air a replay and a close-up of Varga right away, but the broadcaster decided to stop the transmission it was receiving.
Shortly after the full-time whistle, Logan remarked, “All of our thoughts are with Barnabas Varga after that sickening collision, and we are updating you as we get information on his condition.”
We were just as surprised as you were when they showed the episode again. Following the fall of Christian Eriksen three years ago, there are regulations pertaining to those types of things.
“We cut away as soon as we could to a wide angle because we were very surprised that UEFA decided to show that replay.”
Varga is ‘aware and in a stable state,’ but is ‘likely’ to have surgery, Hungary has now confirmed.
According to a statement from Hungary’s Football Association, Barnabas Varga had a concussion in addition to having many bones in his face shattered after the incident during the game.
Most likely, surgery will be performed on the striker. In Stuttgart’s hospital, he stays overnight.
“In that moment I didn’t realise immediately, then when we saw the players calling the doctors and everything I started to be worried and everyone was really worried,” Hungary’s head coach Marco Rossi said in a post-match statement.
“I assumed that Barni was already awake and doing well when he left the pitch.”
The man is healthy, therefore this is excellent. Naturally, depending on the others at this time, he might not be accessible for the remainder of the tournament. However, the fact that he is healthy is what matters most.
Rossi said, “Fortunately, we can now say Barni is not under any kind of risk,” at the news conference following the game.
He most likely will need surgery because of the fracture. Scotland goalkeeper Gunn remarked, “I thought I had to come [for the ball], it was a bit painful,” in response to a question on the event.
I hope the man is doing well. Really, not much about that one comes to me.