Iran goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand collided with a teammate but was cleared to continue in the World Cup match against England. The decision was slaughtered from several parties.

Just minutes had been played of the World Cup clash in Doha when last chance Iran and team-mate Majid Hosseini collided with great force after England’s cross. The goalkeeper was bleeding from the nose and received treatment on the pitch for more than ten minutes.

Beiranvand tried several times to get up, but looked dazed and was clearly in a lot of pain. However, the Iranian medical team chose to give permission for the goalkeeper to continue the match.

It didn’t last long. Beiranvand tried to play, before seconds later he motioned to move to the bench and sit on the grass. After one round of surveillance, the last chance was carried off the field on a stretcher.

The decision to allow Beiranvand to play after the big bang quickly generated backlash.

Shake his head

UK charity Headway deals with issues around head injuries. Chief executive Luke Griggs shook his head at the treatment of the goalkeeper.

– It’s a shame that Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand is allowed to remain on the pitch. “It’s irrelevant that he came off a minute later, he shouldn’t have been on the court for a second, let alone a minute,” he told the PA.

– He is clearly uncomfortable and not fit to continue playing. This appears to be yet another case where decisions are made by players and not medical staff, continued Griggs.

The International Football Association (FIFA) has a protocol with guidelines that must be followed in the event of a head injury on the field.

“This was the first test of the FIFA World Cup concussion protocol and it was an abject failure,” said Griggs.

Clear example

The English Players’ Association also reacted.

“We have seen a clear example, on the biggest stage in world football, the current concussion protocol is not used under great pressure during matches,” he said from there.

Under FIFA rules, the team doctor is given final responsibility for deciding whether a player is fit to continue after a collision to the head.

Later in Monday’s match, England defender Harry Maguire was substituted soon after he appeared to have suffered a concussion.

There has been a lot of focus on head injuries in international football in recent years.

England won the game in Doha 6–2.

Check out the match highlights in the video below.