During Saturday’s match between Sandefjord and Bodø/Glimt, Glimt stopper Jostein Gundersen was down with a head injury twice. Bodø/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen then went against the assessments of Sandefjord’s doctor and Glimt’s manual therapist, and decided that Gundersen should play on. On Tuesday, Knutsen spoke to news about the situation, for the first time after Saturday’s game. CRITICISM RECEIVED: Kjetil Knutsen answered questions for the first time on Tuesday after the head injury debate of the last few days. Photo: Thomas Andersen / NTB – First of all, it is something taken out of context. I am pre-judged, says Knutsen. – The so-called doctor from Sandefjord I have never seen before and never met before, until he is in my technical zone and physically holding back our player. That’s what I react to. Knutsen refers to Magnus Kvisten who acted as doctor for Sandefjord during the match. news has not been able to get in touch with Kvisten, but he has said to VG: – If he has the impression that I have tried to restrain your player physically with force, he has a completely different memory of the situation than I do. I gave clear medical advice, says Kvisten to VG. – It doesn’t sound like Knutsen has learned much from this, says the substitute doctor. Knutsen himself believes that it is Bodø/Glimt themselves that are responsible for the decision. – We travel with a medical device, and as the procedures are, we have a medical device to look after our players, says Knutsen. – Should have laid low Knutsen receives strong criticism from NISO. – We do not understand the situation that is occurring in Sandefjord. That a trainer checks those protocols is completely mind-boggling, says NISO leader Kristoffer Vatshaug. CRITICAL: NISO leader Kristoffer Vatshaug is shocked that Knutsen deviates from the protocols for head injuries. Photo: NTB He thinks Knutsen should lie down. – Here there is only one thing to do, that is to lie flat on your toes. And say sorry. It’s the players’ health we’re talking about here. Vatshaug points out that Knutsen does not follow the guidelines for head injuries in football. – It is the medical staff who decide whether a player will be allowed to return to the pitch or not. There is no one else, continues Vatshaug. NFF’s procedures for head injuries Concussion can be very harmful if treated incorrectly, and there is a great risk of serious spinal injuries. In some cases, it can be career-threatening if players are not replaced immediately after a head injury. In the event of a head injury, only the doctor or the medical apparatus must decide whether it is safe for the player to continue the match. If one of the teams does not have its own doctor/medical device with them on the bench, then the teams agree that the opponent’s doctor/medical device assists in the assessment and treatment of head injuries. It is expected that both teams’ head coaches are informed of the importance and background of the procedure, and that they follow the decision of the doctor/medical apparatus. Source: NFF Knutsen tells news that he does not perceive the guidelines to be clear. – For me, it is an unclear procedure. Will change the rules The Glimt player who was at the center of the situation, Jostein Gundersen, believes the guidelines should have been different. – Neither I nor Kjetil are perhaps the best to sit and make such a decision in the heat of the match. In my opinion, it should be the case that the judge and the doctor talk together, and if the doctor says “he has to go out”, then the judge gets to say “yes, he will change”. IN THE CENTER: After the head injuries on Saturday, Jostein Gundersen has been tested and is back on the training field. Photo: NTB – Then I would probably have been replaced in that situation even though I felt I could play. Knutsen himself emphasizes that he is concerned with the best interests of the players. – I make a living from the players’ health and well-being, and relate to the procedures. The procedures are that Bodø/Glimt has medical personnel, continues the Glimt coach. Fierce discussion After the match, there have been plenty of pictures of a discussion at the coaches’ bench when 70 minutes had been played. There you can clearly see that Knutsen does not listen to either Sandefjord doctor Magnus Kvisten or Glimt’s manual therapist Einar Hauglid. – He is not leaving, says Knutsen on the TV 2 images. – It is not you who decides that, Hauglid replies bluntly. After this, Gundersen played on until he was replaced just before the end. Gundersen got a hit in every round. First he received a Sandefjord insert in the head after 30 minutes, before after 65 minutes of play he was once again laid up after a clash with Sandefjord’s goalkeeper. Knutsen does not recognize himself in the pictures. – It is TV 2 that makes a story, a short story that becomes the story. I don’t recognize myself in that story, says Knutsen. HEAD SLAM: Jostein Gundersen was down with a head injury twice during Saturday’s match. Photo: Christoffer Andersen / NTB To assess own protocols NISO leader Vatshaug says they now have to assess their own protocols. – The consequences of mistakes here can be fatal for the athlete. The deviation means that we both have to look at the procedures and then the NFF has to look at the consequences of breaking the procedure, he says. The Norwegian Football Association has contacted Bodø/Glimt for an answer. – We have asked Bodø/Glimt for a written explanation. The case will then be presented to the NFF’s prosecution committee. The tribunal will assess whether there is a breach of the NFF’s regulations, and if so, whether this should be pursued further, writes NFF’s legal adviser, Rinor Tahiri, to news. Knutsen is not afraid of the consequences the case may have. – The NFF has asked for an explanation, do you fear any consequences? – No, I fear nothing. We have been asked to give an explanation, and we shall do so, Knutsen replies. Published 16.07.2024, at 12.07 Updated 16.07.2024, at 14.10
ttn-69
Kjetil Knutsen fires back after massive criticism
