FA concussion panel brands Chelsea's handling of Oscar's injury as 'completely unacceptable'

The FA concussion panel has blasted Chelsea for their treatment of midfielder Oscar following his clash with Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina in the Blues' 0-0 draw at the Emirates Stadium, according to the Daily Mail.

The Brazilian was substituted at half time and taken to hospital, having played the first half with the injury in spite of he being treated by the medical staff and a call taken on his condition. The panel termed the whole affair as "completely unacceptable" and that their negligence could have led to something significantly fatal in the long run.

Protocol states that any player having suffered a concussion has to be kept under severe check for six days following the incident, but the midfielder was on the bench for Chelsea's 3-1 win over Leicester City in the midweek.

"I'm amazed that in 2015 he stayed on the field," said leading neuropathologist Dr Willie Stewart.

"The much talked-up Premier League protocols state any suspicion of loss of consciousness, 'the player must be removed from the field of play' and that where there is any doubt, evidence from players, match officials and video evidence should be used.

"It's hard to accept 'we didn't see it' applies in this case. But even if we do believe that, his appearing three days later on the bench seems at odds with all current concussion protocols," he added.

The FA's chief medical officer Ian Beasley refused to blame Chelsea for the incident, but insisted that doctors have to be more careful when dealing with such incidents.

"I'll give the politician's line that I don't like to comment on individual cases," Beasley said.

"The medical team at Chelsea are fantastically experienced and well qualified. There's lots of discussion around whether we should have some sort of video link so that the bench can find out exactly what happened if they didn't see it.

"I've sat on the bench many times and not seen what's gone on. It's very difficult. I'm not trying to protect anyone. Concussion is hard to diagnose on the pitch. We need a rule change to be honest with you, we need rolling subs," he concluded.

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