Players 'too brave' over head injuries, says Ryan Mason

ByTNT Sports

Updated 01/12/2020 at 09:58 GMT

Ryan Mason was forced into early retirement after fracturing his skull in a clash of heads with Gary Cahill, and he says that football still has not improved its protocols for dealing with either head injuries or concussions.

Ryan Mason was injured in Hull's game against Chelsea

Image credit: Reuters

Football players often ignore the risks of head injuries and officials must improve concussion protocols, said former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Ryan Mason, who was forced into early retirement in 2017 after fracturing his skull.

Mason's comments come in the wake of a sickening clash of heads between Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez and Arsenal's David Luiz in the Premier League at the weekend.

Jimenez underwent surgery on a fractured skull after the match, and is now reported to be conscious and talking.

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Arsenal faced criticism for allowing Luiz to play on with his head bandaged before he was substituted at half-time.

It is just the latest in a long line of incidents where players have suffered head injuries and continued to play after a short medical assessment.

Mason, who was forced into retirement at the age of 26 after fracturing his skull in a clash of heads with Gary Cahill, has called for a change in perception on concussion within the game.

Tottenham players wear shirts as tribute to Hull City's Ryan Mason before the match

Image credit: Reuters

"We live in a world with men wanting to be brave. Not many will stand up and say, 'I don't feel right here'," former England international Mason told Sky Sports.

"That's the industry football is and we're probably still a little bit guilty of that, if I'm being perfectly honest. I was very close to losing my life on a football pitch to an incident that was very similar."

Mason said officials should be encouraged to punish players for dangerous aerial challenges.

"(David Luiz's challenge) was late and it was from behind. If on the floor with a knee or ankle it would be a yellow card. This type of challenge is viewed as an honest attempt, which this one was," Mason said.

"I think it was honest but I do believe we have a responsibility as professionals to punish dangerous play."

Additional reporting courtesy of Reuters.

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