'How was Vertonghen allowed back on?!': Uproar as Spurs defender tries to play on after head injury

Tottenham's Jan Vertonghen was left with blood pouring from his face following a clash of heads with teammate Toby Alderweireld during their Champions League match with Ajax, prompting questions over the concussion protocol.

Belgian defender Vertonghen suffered a gruesome cut to the bridge of his nose after a clash of heads in the coming together with his center back partner towards the end of the Champions League semi-final first leg at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Tuesday. 

The former Ajax player was prone on the ground for several minutes as he was attended to by Spurs' medical personnel, who did their best to wash away the blood and stem the injury but they have come under fire online for allowing the player back on the pitch, particularly when he was removed from the game minutes later after appearing unsteady on his feet and nauseous. Dizziness and nausea are two symptoms of concussion. 

REUTERS / Dylan Martinez

Vertonghen signalled to his bench that he was unable to continue, before he made his way to the sidelines with his body language suggesting he was close to vomiting. He was then helped by two Tottenham officials to the dressing room, with Moussa Sissoko sent on in his stead.

Concussion awareness is currently a hot topic in various sports across the world, as modern medicine has begun to more accurately detail the ravages that a professional sports career can have on brain health. As such, many football fans have taken to social media to voice their opinion on how Tottenham came to the decision to allow the clearly dazed player to return to action.