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David Moyes defends West Ham's medics following Diop criticism

David Moyes defends West Ham's medics following Diop criticism
© Reuters
The defender was substituted at half-time against Manchester United following a clash of heads.

West Ham boss David Moyes has defended the club's medics after a decision to allow Issa Diop to play on following a clash of heads was criticised by a brain injury charity.

The defender was assessed on the pitch following a collision with Anthony Martial during Tuesday evening's FA Cup fifth-round defeat at Manchester United and continued until half-time, when he eventually made way to become the first player in English football to be replaced by a concussion substitute.

Peter McCabe, chief executive of charity Headway, later questioned the initial assessment and described the new concussion protocol as "deeply flawed".

However, asked about the matter at his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon, Moyes said: "I am not the medical man, but what I would say is our medical team chose to make a decision and take him off at half-time.

"He didn't have concussion and he doesn't have concussion, and also the tests and what these people go through to prove that have all come back clear.

"It was a big decision they took. I am sure not every head knock we have should lead to concussion or should lead to a big discussion about it.

"It's maybe because it's a little bit in fashion that everybody is bringing it to attention but, from what I have seen, the medical team have handled it very well."

Moyes backed football's efforts to protect players from head injuries and insisted the authorities are "trying to do the right thing".

He said: "I'd have to say I think football has tried to take the right action in some way. I think my medical team took the right action in the game the other night and for those reasons, I think we're trying to do the right thing.

"Maybe Headway have other reasons and will know their reasons why they think it should be different, but at the moment I think the Premier League and the medical teams are trying to carry it out the best way they can."

Diop will be fit to face Sheffield United in the Premier League on Monday evening, but Angelo Ogbonna will not after having the ankle he damaged at Old Trafford placed in a protective boot with no timescale as yet for his recovery.

Moyes said: "It's a big blow for us because he's done really well. He's been magnificent in the games he's played and his leadership has been really important to us as well."

Striker Michail Antonio could return after sitting out in midweek with fatigue, but Andriy Yarmolenko and Fabian Balbuena are out.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City25185250153559
2Leicester CityLeicester25154644271749
3Manchester UnitedMan Utd24137450311946
4West Ham UnitedWest Ham25136639291045
5Chelsea25127641251643
6Liverpool25117745341140
7Everton2412483733440
8Aston Villa23113937261136
9Tottenham HotspurSpurs24106837271036
10Arsenal25104113126534
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2596102632-633
12Leeds UnitedLeeds24102124043-332
13Southampton2486103140-930
14Crystal Palace2485112742-1529
15Burnley2577111830-1228
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2451182530-526
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2474132540-1525
18Fulham25410112132-1122
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2528151955-3614
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2532201541-2611

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