LONDON -- A day after goalkeeper Hugo Lloris was briefly knocked unconscious but continued to play, Tottenham defended its decision despite criticism from FIFA and the football players union. Chris Williams Jersey . Lloris was knocked out Sunday when his head smashed into Everton striker Romelu Lukakus knee during a Premier League match. The goalkeeper was treated on the field but, despite medical advice and not remembering the incident, he was allowed to continue playing. "The player should have been substituted," FIFA chief medical officer Professor Jiri Dvorak said. "The fact the other player needed ice on his knee means its obvious the blow was extensive. "Its a 99 per cent probability that losing consciousness in such an event will result in concussion." On Monday, Tottenham said that brain scans gave Lloris the all-clear. But the extent of the injury would not have been known during the match. "When he has been knocked unconscious, the player himself may not see the reality," Dvorak said. By allowing Lloris to finish the match, the FIFPro players union said Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas and his staff "failed to protect the goalkeeper." "FIFPro condemns that the health and safety of players are left to coaches/trainers or even to players themselves," FIFPro medical advisor Vincent Gouttebarge said. "Medical professionals should be aware of any relevant medical guidelines and apply them in order to empower the health and safety on the field. The health and safety of the players should be the No. 1 priority and should prevail against any other matters." English Football Association regulations say that a player who is treated after being "immobile and unresponsive to verbal commands following a head injury" should not return to action that day. But if the player experiences "a transient alteration of conscious level," he can resume playing. "If there is any doubt, keep the player out," Dvorak said. The Professional Footballers Association in England said that players who suffer severe head injuries or loss of consciousness should automatically be taken off. "When treating a player on the pitch, it can be very difficult to determine the severity of a head injury," PFA deputy chief executive John Bramhall said. "It is important to take the pressure off the players, club medical staff, and the manager -- removing the need for them to make a very difficult decision." Tottenham, however, saw nothing wrong with its decision to allow Lloris to continue. "Once the relevant tests and assessments were carried out we were totally satisfied that he was fit to continue playing," said Wayne Diesel, Tottenhams head of medical services. Football has been subjected to less focus on how it handles concussions than other sports, which experience more impact injuries. In August, the NFL agreed to pay $765 million to settle lawsuits from thousands of former players who developed dementia or other concussion-related health problems. More than 4,500 former players, some of them suffering from Alzheimers disease or depression, accused the NFL of concealing the long-term dangers of concussions and rushing injured players back onto the field. Keith Rivers Jersey . The (11-11-4) Jets are seventh in the Central Division with 26 points. Fifth place Dallas and sixth-seeded Nashville also have 26 points, but the Stars have three games in hand on Winnipeg while Nashville has two. Nickell Robey Jersey . 1 overall pick likes best about football. "Big hits," he said. "Im all about hitting. I dont care who it is." Thats what the Houston Texans are counting on from the South Carolina defensive end after skipping a chance to take a quarterback -- their top need -- with the top pick Thursday night.WIMBLEDON, England -- Rafael Nadal will skip Spains Davis Cup quarter-final against the United States in July, blaming his decision on the ITF for a lack of scheduling consideration. The six-time French Open champion harshly criticized the ITF after beating Juan Martin del Potro in the fourth round at Wimbledon on Monday, saying the body is too inflexible and should try to find ways to make it easier for top players to compete in the Davis Cup. "The problem is the ITF, my opinion. They dont want to change nothing," Nadal said. "And some thing they are doing bad, because the best players of the world, a lot of times we are not able to play (Davis Cup). ... They have to think whats going on, no? But they dont think nothing. They keep (making) money and thats it." Nadal sustained a foot injury in his match against Del Potro, but had already decided not to play against tthe United States, saying he needed a rest of at least 15-20 days after Wimbledon to prepare for the second half of the season and the U.Kyle Orton Jersey. .S. Open, one of his priorities. "I cannot be in every place. I cannot be competitive every week of the year," Nadal said. "My body needs to rest. ... Seriously, its not possible be No.1 or No. 2 playing Davis Cup every tie, be in all the places, be competitive in all the tournaments. ... So for that reason I cannot be there. For me its tough. But for the ITF, doesnt matter." Spain captain Albert Costa named his team on Monday with David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco, Feliciano Lopez and Marcel Granollers representing the four-time champions in Austin, Texas, from July 8-10. Nadal won both of his singles matches in Spains 4-1 first-round victory at Belgium in March. The U.S. Open runs from Aug. 29-Sept. 11. ' ' '
