JAN VERTONGHEN has undergone brain scans today to discover if he has delayed concussion following his sickening clash of heads with Toby Alderweireld.
Tottenham star Vertonghen had to be helped from the pitch unable to stand up after suffering the blow in the Champions League semi-final clash with Ajax.
The 32-year-old is already ruled out of contention for this weekend’s Premier League match against Bournemouth as Spurs look for the win that will ensure a top four finish this season.
But if the cerebral test come back with signs of delayed concussion, it will mean he is also likely to be ordered to miss the return leg against Ajax under Uefa guidelines.
Boss Mauricio Pochettino insists Tottenham followed concussion rules before they allowed Vertonghen to play on after a serious head injury.
But Spurs could still face a Uefa probe after their defender had to be helped off the pitch a minute later – with Pochettino having to catch him as he looked to be falling to the ground.
Vertonghen suffered a sickening KO, as Ajax delivered the first blow in this Champions League semi-final, when he clashed heads with team-mate Alderweireld in the 32nd minute.
TV pundits and fans slammed Spurs for sending him back on.
But boss Poch said: “Our medical staff followed the protocol.
“I wasn’t involved, that was a doctor’s decision. We took him out because he didn’t feel well. He is OK now. We are more relaxed. I hope it is not a big issue.”
The Belgian nutted the back of Alderweireld’s head as they jumped for a 32nd-minute free-kick with Ajax keeper Andre Onana.
Play was stopped for five minutes as Spurs’ medical staff treated the Belgian’s bloodied face.
He was then given a clean shirt and shorts and sent back on — despite Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz clearly asking if they had checked the player for concussion.
But moments later the groggy star walked unsteadily to the touchline then started retching.
Spurs staff — including Pochettino — rushed over to support the player as he appeared to go faint.
But Vertonghen said: “There is nothing broken, no concussion. I just fainted.”
However, the fact he nearly collapsed within minutes of being sent back into action will raise question about Tottenham’s medical methods.
Poch added: “In that type of situation the medical staff and doctor are the boss on the decision.
“I was worried but never am I going to debate or question the decision of the medical staff.”
Yet Spurs legend Glenn Hoddle added: “He was definitely concussed.”
Ex-Premier League star Dion Dublin said: “Going back on was incredibly risky for Jan Vertonghen because if there was any challenge near him, it could have been terrible.”
Former MLS star Taylor Twellman, whose playing career ended prematurely because of the impact of concussion, tweeted that it was “disgusting and pathetic” that Vertonghen was allowed to carry on.
And ex-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, watching this first leg, said: “Only the doctor can explain how he came back on the pitch. There is a very clear protocol the doctor has to respect.”
This is not the first time Spurs have been involved in an incident like this.
It was their medical team’s decision to allow keeper Hugo Lloris to continue playing after he suffered a head injury in a 0-0 draw at Everton in November 2013 which resulted in the tougher Premier League guidelines being introduced.
Vertonghen is now a major doubt for next Wednesday’s second leg in Amsterdam.
Tottenham will bid to overturn a 1-0 deficit after Donny van de Beek fired home on 15 minutes.
Poch said: “The tie is still open. It is going to be difficult but we go there with one purpose — and that is to reach the final.”
