Dominik Szoboszlai has demanded a significant amendment to the rules that would permit medical personnel to “immediately” onto the field in response to Barnabas Varga’s horrific injury sustained during Hungary’s 1-0 victory over Scotland.
In the 68th minute of Sunday’s tight Group A match at Euro 2024, there were alarming scenes when Hungary’s Varga had to be stretchered off the field following a mid-air collision with Angus Gunn.
Following a thrilling last-minute goal by Kevin Csoboth to knock out Scotland from the competition, it was revealed that Varga was “aware and in a stable condition,” but that he had needed surgery to fix a fractured cheek bone.
At the moment, it was evident that both teams were upset; Hungary’s captain, Szoboszlai, was crying while Varga’s teammates raised blankets to block the attacker from being seen by the TV cameras at Stuttgart’s MHPArena.
“In that moment I didn’t realize immediately, then when we saw the players calling the doctors and everything I started to be worried and everyone was really worried,” Hungary’s manager Marco Rossi said in a post-match statement.
“I assumed that Barni was already awake and doing well when he left the pitch.”
The guy 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 his post-match press conference. He most likely will need surgery because of the fracture.
Liverpool midfielder Szoboszlai allayed concerns about the seriousness of Varga’s illness by saying his countryman was doing “okay” in the hospital while speaking to Stadium Astro in the mixed zone.
The Hungarian captain continued by expressing his annoyance at the fact that medical personnel could not rush onto the field without referee Facundo Tello’s approval.
He’s in the hospital, but he’s well. He will have surgery on his nose and face tomorrow [today], although he needs some work done on them, Szoboszlai stated.
“It was bad, it looked bad, and he felt bad.”
Szoboszlai stated, “I wouldn’t wish this on anyone,” in a different interview with the Hungarian publication Sportal.hu.
“I was among the first people present.” And to see that, burned into my retina, was shocking.
“I don’t understand how the protocol was implemented, as the paramedics are unable to run or bring in a stretcher.”
“I am not really aware of the protocol.” I’m not sure how it works, but if our doctor says we should get help right away, I don’t think they should walk.
Although it’s not my decision, I believe that something needs to be changed so that, even if someone is on the ground and witnesses a major collision, they should still enter, even if the referee is telling them not to.
“And if you see that it’s nothing serious, then you can just go down and it’s finished. But seconds can help a lot.”
The outcome guaranteed Hungary’s third-place finish in Group A, so they now have to wait anxiously to find out if their three points will be sufficient to advance as one of the top four third-placed teams.
In the other match of the evening on Sunday, Germany advanced to the next round of the group despite holding Switzerland, the runners-up, to a 1-1 draw.