For our national team, the European Championship is over, as far as we can see, after the mediocre elimination against England. One scene, however, remained in our memory. It was not a goal that decided the game or a foul worthy of discussion. It was a normal duel that takes place just as regularly on many amateur sports fields:
In the European Championship group match between Germany and world champions France, the 55th minute of the game is running. Joshua Kimmich sends a cross from the right to the second post, where Robin Gosens wants to head on goal - and Benjamin Pavard wants to clear the ball with his head.
A duel ensues, during which Pavard is hit on the head with his knee by Gosens. A hard action - but common in football.
The Frenchman falls to the ground like a wet sack, remains motionless and initially unnoticed. After a short treatment break and some water in his neck, he continues to play. After the game, the Bayern defender says he must have been unconscious for ten to fifteen minutes.
In the run-up to the European Championship, the associations, in cooperation with UEFA, established the so-called "Concussion Charter".
If this had been followed in Pavard's case, the world champion would definitely not have been allowed to continue playing. This current example shows us how carelessly head injuries are dealt with in football - and how far behind other sports are.
