06.11.2013 15:47 h

Football: Villas-Boas defiant over Lloris decision

André Villas-Boas' Co-Trainer bei Tottenham ist Steffen Freund
André Villas-Boas' Co-Trainer bei Tottenham ist Steffen Freund

Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas on Wednesday said that he had no regrets about allowing goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to continue playing after he was briefly knocked unconscious during a game.

The France international, 26, momentarily lost consciousness following a collision with Everton striker Romelu Lukaku towards the end of Sunday's 0-0 Premier League draw at Goodison Park, but he insisted on playing on.

Spurs' decision not to substitute him was criticised by Britain's Professional Footballers' Association and the chief medical officer of world governing body FIFA, both of whom voiced fears about the risk of concussion.

However, Villas-Boas said he felt that Lloris's safety was not at risk and expressed anger that his medical staff, who had helped to save the life of former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba after he collapsed at White Hart Lane two years ago, had been called into question.

"I stand absolutely by the decision I took and I stand by the decision that the medical department took following the checks that they made on the player," Villas-Boas said during an occasionally ill-tempered press conference.

"All the checks were according to the book. I have registered the fact that a couple of people have taken this opportunity to find the chance to get themselves publicised who have no experience in the pitch whatever in these type of situations.

"And I find it extremely disappointing that two people -- a great doctor and a great physio, who saved the life of Muamba -- were heavily put into question by lots of incompetent people, with absolutely no experience on the pitch, no experience in the action, no experience in the moment.

"That is extremely serious and disappointing."

The incident occurred after Lloris slid out to claim a ball in front of Lukaku, whose left knee caught the Frenchman on the head.

Lukaku was subsequently booked and Villas-Boas said on Wednesday that the Belgian striker could have done more to avoid a collision.

"I find it remarkable as well that nobody has dedicated themselves to find out if the player could have avoided the keeper and I'm disappointed that Lukaku hasn't contacted Hugo," the Portuguese said.

"I don't question Lukaku's integrity or human side -- I have maximum respect for him and I think he has for me -- but from all this excitement from something that is so negative, I'm surprised no time was lost to study this.

"I don't want to question Lukaku -- he's a young player, wonderfully gifted -- but I think he could have jumped over Lloris."

Lloris was given the all-clear after a precautionary CT scan on Sunday and trained normally with his team-mates on Wednesday morning.

However, Villas-Boas says he has not yet decided whether to start with Lloris or his deputy, Brad Friedel, in Spurs' Europa League game at home to Moldovan club Sheriff Tiraspol on Thursday.