Concussion experts demand new approach to head injuries after Greenwood's knock

Concussion experts have demanded more research and a zero-risk approach following Alex Greenwood’s ‘sickening’ injury at Wembley last week.

Greenwood thumped her head on the turf during the second half of England’s win over Brazil and was dazed — yet finished the game.

Brain charities and ex-players were furious when the Manchester City star was forced to withdraw from the Lionesses squad a day later for their next game after showing symptoms of concussion.

Research has proved women are twice as likely to suffer concussion than men, and take longer to recover. The reasons are not clear but the controversy around Greenwood has upped calls for far more research.

‘The truth is that there is still far too little data on concussion in women in sport and we really have to do better,’ said a spokesperson for Love of the Game.

The decision not to replace Greenwood, who went up for a header later in the game, was met with dismay. Brain injury charity Headway said: ‘Seeing Alex motionless on the ground after hitting her head so hard was sickening. You cannot take a risk with head injuries.’

Chris Sutton, whose father, Mike, passed away after a 10-year battle with dementia, again called for temporary concussion substitutes as he said: ‘Nobody knows the long-term damage that injury may have on Alex. This is about doing the right thing with men and women across the football world. It was sickening to watch.’