The Sport Matrix: Tuesday 5 November 2013

Concussed players should by law be taken off, says PFA

The Professional Footballers’ Association and Fifpro last night led the calls for a change to the laws to ensure that any injured player who has lost consciousness is immediately substituted.

The Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris (above) was knocked unconscious on Sunday at Everton but, after a stoppage, was allowed to carry on. While no rules were broken, as Spurs confirmed that their medical staff agreed Lloris could continue, the PFA argued that in the future such situations should lead to a compulsory substitution.

“When treating a player on the pitch, it can be very difficult to determine the severity of a head injury,” said the PFA deputy chief executive, John Bramhall, yesterday.

“It is important to take the pressure off the players, club medical staff, and the manager – removing the need for them to make a very difficult decision. If anyone suffers a severe trauma to the head and loses consciousness, then they should be required to leave the field of play automatically.” MORE

Nadal calls for surface cycles

Rafael Nadal believes that future ATP World Tour Finals should be played on different surfaces. “I’m not talking for myself because I know it’s not going to happen in my generation, but I am talking for future generations,” he said. “For the fans it would be interesting.” MORE

CSKA aggrieved by Touré punishment

CSKA Moscow are still angered at the punishment handed out for the racial abuse suffered by Yaya Touré. CSKA’s coach Leonid Slutsky said: “We are against racism, we have black players in our team and we give them our support. But we did not hear any racist chants.”

Januzaj resilience likened to Messi’s

Manchester United’s manager David Moyes has compared Adnan Januzaj to Lionel Messi for his ability to pick himself up from illegal challenges. He spoke as the Football Association charged Fulham’s Sascha Riether with violent misconduct after his tackle on Januzaj. MORE

Torres doubtful to face Schalke

Fernando Torres is a major doubt for Chelsea for tomorrow’s Champions League group game against Schalke. The 29-year-old Spaniard pulled out of training yesterday with a thigh problem after struggling in Saturday’s league defeat away at Newcastle. MORE

Hardaker leaves McNamara’s squad

Full-back Zak Hardaker has withdrawn from England’s World Cup squad, citing “personal reasons”. The 22-year-old’s exit leaves coach Steve McNamara with a squad of 23 ahead of their last group game against Fiji in Hull on Saturday. MORE

England’s forward pair miss training

England’s loose-head prop Mako Vunipola and flanker Tom Wood, who did not miss a single tackle against Australia, missed training yesterday, the former for minor knee trouble and the latter for “load management” reasons. MORE

Bell bats away Warne’s criticism

England’s Ian Bell has laughed off Shane Warne’s latest criticism, saying yesterday: “It’s quite funny at times and I’ve certainly learnt over time that there’s no point wasting energy trying to find compliments from Australians.” MORE

Anderson appeals for match action

Jimmy Anderson has made a plea to play in England’s match against Australia A, which starts at the former Bellerive Oval tomorrow. “I think I need another game, I think I need to get more miles in my legs,” said the fast bowler. MORE

McCoy two away from 4,000 wins

Tony McCoy heads to Exeter for three rides today on the brink of reaching the landmark of 4,000 winners. A double at Kempton yesterday courtesy of Captain Cutter and Foundation Man left McCoy on 3,998 wins. MORE

Sam Warburton

Wales and Lions captain tells Matt Majendie that his country are ready to claim southern scalps ahead of the 2015 World Cup - and relives that Test series triumph Down Under. MORE