Inaction by Spurs’ medical team may have played a role in Xavi Simmons’ confirmed ACL injury, which will see him miss the rest of the season and the World Cup.
The Dutch playmaker, who arrived in North London with high hopes, met a tragic end during Tuesday night’s match.
The diagnosis of a torn ACL is devastating enough, but a storm is brewing over how the club’s medical staff responded in the immediate aftermath of the on-pitch incident.
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Fan footage shows Tottenham medical team’s negligence
Newly released fan footage taken from the stands provides a grim look at the moments after Simmons’ injury.
In the video, Tottenham’s medical team appear clearly concerned about the seriousness of the situation.
Despite Simmons being in obvious pain, staff encouraged the midfielder to get up and walk away, which resulted in him collapsing again.
He was eventually taken away in a car, but fans are left wondering why a player with a possible torn ligament was asked to stand.
This is not the first time a club’s medical department has come under scrutiny. Earlier this year, Dejan Kulusevski underwent a similar “physical fitness test” on the sideline.
Despite complaining of severe pain, the Swede was asked to jog up and down the touchline to prove his fitness.
It was later revealed that he had sustained significant damage to his kneecap, and many believe this oversight lengthened his eventual recovery time.
Tottenham called on to overhaul medical team
Tottenham’s injury list is at its worst since last season due to a revolving door of soft tissue injuries and repeated setbacks.
With Simmons sidelined for the time being and missing out on a career-defining World Cup appearance, fans are calling for changes to the entire medical team.
For a club expected to compete at the highest level, Simmons’ response to injury and the club’s recurring injury problems have put a big question mark on the medical team’s capabilities.
