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      More trouble for Graham Potter as Champions League rivals Borussia Dortmund are ONLY team in Europe with impressive stat

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      PRESSURE is piling onto Chelsea boss Graham Potter, and an impressive stat boasted by Borussia Dortmund does not bode well for him. Chelsea are on the brink of elimination from the Champions League following a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Germans in the first leg of their last 16 clash.
      Graham Potter is under intense scrutiny at ChelseaCredit: Reuters
      But Borussia Dortmund boast an incredible stat which could prove to be Chelsea’s downfallCredit: Getty
      Chelsea must now overturn that deficit at Stamford Bridge on March 7.
      However, it could prove to be too tough a task for the out-of-form Blues, with Borussia Dortmund flying high in 2023.
      The German title challengers are the only side in Europe’s Top 10 leagues to have kept up a 100 per cent record in all competitions since the turn of the year.
      They have won eight games from games in all competitions, and are now level on points with Bayern Munich and Union Berlin at the top of the Bundesliga.
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      Strike starlet Karim Adeyemi, who scored against Chelsea in the first leg, has been ruled out of the second leg.
      Despite this, Dortmund will not necessarily be weaker by his absence, with English wonderkid Jamie Bynoe-Gittens – dubbed the next Jadon Sancho – set to replace him in the line-up.
      Chelsea’s horror run continued at the weekend when James Ward-Prowse’s stunning free-kick earned Southampton a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
      Potter, who now sports the WORST record of any manager in Chelsea’s Premier League history, came under fire for his team selection in the fixture.
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      The ex-Brighton boss was questioned for starting kid David Datro Fofana, despite splashing £600million on new transfers.
      Thus far, Potter has been backed by owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, with the owners appreciating Potter has had to work with an injury-ravaged squad since replacing Thomas Tuchel in the dugout. More

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      Liverpool will need to help Alexander-Arnold in Vinicius Jr duel if they are to avoid Champions League final repeat

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      LIVERPOOL are looking to put last year’s Champions League final nightmare behind them as they face Real Madrid once again.Jurgen Klopp claimed it was “torture” even watching the clash in Paris back on video.
      Vinicius Jr will be looking to terrorise Liverpool againCredit: Alamy
      Trent Alexander-Arnold may need some help from team-mates to contain ViniciusCredit: Getty
      The defeat was all the more agonising for the fact that the Reds dominated most of the match while Carlo Ancelotti’s side relied on an inspired Thibaut Courtois to see them through.
      But there was one individual battle in which Liverpool will have to do better this time around.
      Despite Karim Benzema winning the Ballon d’Or, Vinicius Jr was the key man in the French capital back in May.
      The Brazilian scored the only goal as he stole in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold, who appeared not to anticipate his run.
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      Former Reds boss Rafa Benitez knows a thing or two about beating Real Madrid, having secured a whopping 5-0 aggregate win in 2009.
      And he says the Reds holding midfielders and centre-backs will be key in stopping Vinicius.
      Benitez told The Times: “Vinicius Jr scored at the far post ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold, but it is unfair to blame the Liverpool defender for the outcome that night.
      “If you look at the build-up, Real beat Liverpool’s press a number of times. This was not a goal where one player was caught out.
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      Vinicius Jr’s heat map from Real Madrid’s last game against Osasuna
      Trent Alexander-Arnold’s heat map from Liverpool’s 2-0 win at Newcastle
      “Vinicius can follow his rival, Alexander-Arnold, but he will not do that all game because it is not his mentality.
      “So if Real regain the ball and can then avoid the first pressing line of Liverpool, there could be a big gap for them to exploit.
      “Liverpool will know that this means the centre-back, Joel Matip or Joe Gomez, or the right-sided central midfielder, Jordan Henderson, must be alert to protect this space.
      “Also, when both teams play 4-3-3, the holding midfielder is an important position.
      “The player is free sometimes and both teams will want someone dropping into the No6 role and trying to disrupt their rhythm.
      “Real manage the ball well and can be dangerous on the counter-attack because they have pace and they are precise.
      “But if Liverpool can regain the ball quickly, that will make it very difficult.”
      Benitez also feels Stefan Bajcetic could prove an unknown quantity and secret weapon for Liverpool against Real Madrid.
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      He said of the Spaniard: “From the displays I have seen, he is tactically good, takes up good positions in midfield and can anticipate what is going on.
      “He will help Liverpool’s press.”
      Vinicius Jr has a fantastic record in the Champions League so far this season
      Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a little less impressive, as Liverpool finished second in their group to Napoli More

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      Carlo Ancelotti reveals he gave special gift to Jurgen Klopp after pair became close while both living in Liverpool

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      REAL MADRID boss Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that he gave Jurgen Klopp a special gift after the pair became close while both living in Liverpool. Eight months after the Champions League final in Paris Ancelotti and his Madrid side are back in Liverpool as they prepare for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.
      Jurgen Klopp and Carlo Ancelotti shake hands before last season’s Champions League final.Credit: The Times
      Ancelotti and Klopp became close when the pair both lived in Liverpool.Credit: AFP
      The pair became close when they both lived in Liverpool during Ancelotti’s time managing Everton.
      Speaking to Sky Sport Ancelotti opened up on his relationship with Klopp.
      He said: “I have a good relationship with him. We spent a year and a half here in Liverpool during the pandemic.”
      The Italian also revealed that he gave the German a special gift.
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      He added: “We texted and exchanged gifts. He is a very lovable person. What was the gift? An electronic cigarette”.
      Real Madrid have a good record against Liverpool having beaten them in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals as well as knocking them out in the quarter finals during the 2020/2021 season.
      Liverpool haven’t beaten the Spanish champions in their last six encounters losing five and drawing one.
      Klopp’s men have struggled this season but big European nights at Anfield tend to bring the best out of them.
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      The Anfield outfit head into the first leg on the back of consecutive wins in the Premier League and seem to be finding their stride again.
      Ancelotti is the most decorated manager in Champions League history having lifted the trophy four times, twice with AC Milan and twice with Real Madrid.
      The first leg takes places at Anfield tonight with the second in Madrid on Wednesday, March 15. More

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      Man Utd and Chelsea transfer target Victor Osimhen broke Cristiano Ronaldo jump record and plays like Didier Drogba

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      MANCHESTER menaces Erling Haaland and Marcus Rashford are the talk of the Premier League — but a star 1,500 miles away is causing a stir in Italy.Nigeria hitman Victor Osimhen has scored 19 in 23 games for runaway Serie A leaders Napoli and has been compared to former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba by none other than old boss Jose Mourinho.
      Victor Osimhen is in red-hot form for Napoli this seasonCredit: AFP
      He has been compared to Chelsea legend Didier DrogbaCredit: AP:Associated Press
      If the Blues have their way, Osimhen could follow in Drogba’s footsteps this summer should Todd Boehly prise him from stubborn Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
      The new Chelsea owner is considering a £110million summer swoop, as revealed by SunSport earlier this month.
      Nigeria hero and ex-Everton forward Daniel Amokachi reckons Lagos-born Osimhen is a blend of THREE legendary African strikers — not just Ivorian Drogba but also Liberia talisman George Weah and Nigeria star Rashidi Yekini.
      The 1994 World Cup star told SunSport: “Osimhen is a reflection of Rashidi Yekini, Didier Drogba and George Weah.
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      “That’s what makes him different. All those players never gave less than 100 per cent.
      “He’s the same. He’s strong, he shoots very good, he’s technically sound, he’s got speed. He’s the best No 9 in the world.”
      Osimhen, 24, is spearheading Napoli’s charge to their first Scudetto since Diego Maradona inspired the 1990 title triumph.
      Tonight, Osimhen will be gunning for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.
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      He won Serie A’s player of the month for January — scoring an outrageous goal against Mourinho’s Roma — and could be Player of the Year.
      But with long limbs and a spindly frame, he looks more like a basketball player than a footballer.
      He broke Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for the highest jump in Serie A earlier this month with an astonishing 2.58metre leap.
      His pace and strength are too much for defenders to deal with on top of his superb link-up play and movement into space.
      Osimhen scores all types of goals, whether they be poacher’s tap-ins, headers and long-rangers off each foot and even from almost impossible angles, as he proved with his effort at Sassuolo on Friday.
      It has been some journey to the top for the striker, though, with regular injuries and even at one stage a bout of malaria impeding his progress.
      Osimhen recorded the highest jump in Serie ACredit: AFP
      He broke the previous height set by Cristiano RonaldoCredit: AFP
      Osimhen has the third best minutes-per-goal ratio in Europe this season
      He moved to Wolfsburg in Germany as a 17-year-old, before heading to Belgium with Charleroi and then on to France with Lille.
      It was there, he played alongside ex-Southampton star Jose Fonte.
      The pair struck up a friendship, despite their 15-year age gap, and still stay in touch.
      Euro 2016 winner Fonte, 39, told SunSport: “Apart from being a great footballer, he’s a very nice guy who wants to listen and get better every day.
      “He likes to laugh, tell jokes and have fun. He’s a hard worker but he’s very sociable.
      ‘NIGHTMARE TO PLAY AGAINST’
      “It’s a nightmare to play against him because he doesn’t stop running.
      “He’s fast, he’s tall, he’s competitive, he’s aggressive, he doesn’t shy away from tackles and cherishes defenders being physical with him.”
      Convincing Napoli to sell will not be easy, with just over two years remaining on his contract.
      De Laurentiis stated publicly that the forward, who wears a protective mask after breaking a cheekbone and eye socket in November 2021, is not for sale.
      Amokachi, 50, who now works as a special advisor to the Nigerian sports minister, said: “It’s rare Napoli release players. He’s a fans’ favourite. I don’t see them letting him go.
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      “But if they do, Osimhen can fit into any league in the world.”
      While Fonte added: “He’s not the final product, that’s the scary thing — he’s getting better and better.”
      The Nigerian enjoyed his spell with LilleCredit: Getty
      Napoli are determined to keep hold of their main manCredit: Getty More

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      I went from Champions League glory with Chelsea to Thomas Tuchel’s scapegoat – but now I’m loving football again

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      TIMO WERNER conquered Manchester City in the Champions League with Chelsea — and now he is out to do it again with RB Leipzig.The German star has spoken out about his Blues agony and taken a swipe at former boss Thomas Tuchel for having a short memory over his previous achievements.
      Timo Werner failed to ever really hit top gear at ChelseaCredit: Getty
      The striker is back loving his football at RB LeipzigCredit: Reuters
      Werner took a swipe at former boss Thomas TuchelCredit: Reuters
      But having escaped his two-year Stamford Bridge spell to return to Leipzig last summer, the 26-year-old forward has come full circle having rediscovered his love for football.
      Ahead of City’s last-16 clash in Leipzig on Wednesday, he told SunSport: “I had a very good first six months at Chelsea, which was what the supporters and club expected of me.
      “I scored the goals and played good games.
      “When you come from the kind of success I had in Germany or with Chelsea — playing nearly every game in the first season, winning the Champions League in 2021, scoring in the semi-final against Real Madrid, making a lot of goals.
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      “Then all this gets a little bit forgotten by the manager, it was not really fair.
      “That was also a reason I had to move back to Leipzig, to get the enjoyment again.
      “I didn’t feel that any more but you need it to be successful.
      “In the end a manager likes some players more than others — it’s completely normal and you have to accept that.
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      “Maybe yes, in the end I just wanted out.”
      Werner started up front as Chelsea beat City 1-0 in Lisbon to become European champions in May 2021.
      But Romelu Lukaku’s £97.5million arrival from Inter Milan just three months later left him doubting countryman Tuchel’s faith in him.
      He added: “The biggest problem was he put a striker like Lukaku in front of me in the second season after I won the Champions League by nearly playing every game in the first squad.
      “That was the toughest moment for me to get a player, a very good player, in front of me for 120million euros.
      “Romelu was a big striker and had to play after costing so much and I didn’t feel honoured enough.
      “Maybe that was also a reason why I had ups and downs.”
      In the end a manager likes some players more than others — it’s completely normal and you have to accept that.Timo Werner
      Werner scored 12 and assisted 15 in 52 matches during his first Chelsea campaign before 11 goals and six assists came in his second and last term.
      He was most prolific in the Champions League — scoring eight in 17 across two seasons, including the opener in the Blues’ 2-0 semi-final first leg win over Real Madrid in 2021.
      His meagre return in all competitions could have looked different had he not had a staggering 38 goals chalked off for offside.
      But, having been brought in under Frank Lampard, Werner feels hard done by from his successor Tuchel for focussing on his missed sitters, rather than his ability to affect high-stakes games.
      After 18 months under Tuchel, Werner insists there is no bad blood.
      But he said: “The manager who brought me in Lampard was sacked a few months later which was not the best for a player who joined the club after talking to this manager.
      “In the end I missed some chances and was unlucky with VAR decisions.
      “You could see my confidence dropped.
      “From the outside it was easy to scapegoat me, whether that was from the media or coaches, whatever.
      “But at least the fans were always behind me, they supported me. I can’t say anything against them.”
      Moving to London in the middle of the Covid-19 crisis was also a factor given the forced isolation on the then-24-year-old player.
      He added: “In the first months, nothing was open, I was always sitting at home, spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve alone, to be always on games, of course that was tough.
      “Maybe you can say that was one of the reasons it didn’t work for me.
      “Maybe with a proper life, friends and family around me it would have been different.
      “It’s easy to point the fingers on those things, it is what it is now.”
      Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was keen to sign Werner the same summer he moved to Chelsea.
      Asked if he wished he had moved to Merseyside instead, he said: “It’s hard to say, the door was never really closed in those two years before I joined Chelsea.
      “At the time there were a lot of points that didn’t make my move to Liverpool happen.
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      “Covid was a big thing, a lot of clubs were unable to spend money while Chelsea were able to go all-in for players.
      “But to regret something? It’s too late.”
      Werner helped Chelsea to Champions League glory in 2021 over Manchester CityCredit: Getty More

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      Jurgen Klopp forced to endure ‘pure torture’ ahead of Liverpool’s crunch Champions League last 16 clash vs Real Madrid

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      JURGEN KLOPP revealed the “pure torture” of watching back last season’s Champions League final against Real Madrid.But the Liverpool manager is hoping that his team can finally inflict some pain on Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the last 16 at Anfield on Tuesday.
      Jurgen Klopp rewatched last season’s Champions League final ahead of Tuesday’s gameCredit: PA
      Los Blancos defeated Liverpool 1-0 in ParisCredit: Getty
      Liverpool are gunning for revenge from May’s 1-0 defeat in Paris and Klopp has been boosted by back-to-back Premier League wins against Everton and Newcastle.
      He said: “I hadn’t watched the final again until the weekend.
      “Then I realised immediately why I hadn’t watched it back — because it was proper torture.
      “We played a good game and could have won the game.
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      “And that is the decisive word, ‘could’… they scored a decisive goal and we didn’t.
      “Real do not worry when other teams have a chance and they do not lose confidence. They know their chance will come. They are a team we can learn from.
      “But we have now had two wins. We feel it, we see it. It helps the mood massively.
      “Four weeks ago it would have been different but life is all about timing.
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      “We need to play two super games to go through. We have to be at our best to stand a chance.
      “For Real Madrid it is different — even if they don’t play their best they still stand a chance.
      “That’s what is special about them.”
      Klopp is hoping for a red-hot atmosphere at Anfield, knowing that his side may need all the help they can get.
      He said: “I can’t wait for the game.
      “Going to the Bernabeu will be tough too. But who cares? It is the Champions League.
      “One of the biggest games in the world.
      “It will be a top game and I’m happy we can play now. I expect Anfield on their toes. I am really happy for the fans, that they saw us in a better shape the last couple of games — that they have a bit more to look forward to. Let’s go together again.”
      Liverpool’s main injury worry is over striker Darwin Nunez, who suffered a shoulder issue against Newcastle.
      He is likely to need a late fitness test but he did train on Monday. 
      Klopp said: “We have to see how he can deal with the pain.”
      Los Blancos will be without two key midfield stars as both Aurelien Tchouameni and Toni Kroos are sidelined through illness.
      Left-back Ferland Mendy was already out, having missed the last month with a thigh issue.
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      La Liga champions Real won 2-0 at tenth-place Osasuna at the weekend — with goals from Federico Valverde and Marco Asensio.
      In their midfield for that game, Luka Modric was joined by former Arsenal loanee Dani Ceballos and France star Eduardo Camavinga.
      Jurgen Klopp and Carlo Ancelotti are set to meet againCredit: Getty More

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      Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi OUT of Champions League clash against Chelsea opening door for ‘next Jadon Sancho’ to start

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      BORUSSIA DORTMUND have confirmed Karim Adeyemi will be sidelined for three weeks with an injury.The 21-year-old is now set to miss the crunch Champions League meeting with Chelsea as the game falls within that period.
      Karim Adeyemi is set to be out for around three weeksCredit: Rex
      Dortmund travel to Chelsea in less than three weeksCredit: EPA
      German giants Dortmund travel to Stamford Bridge looking to protect a slender 1-0 lead from the first leg.
      The two teams are set to meet again on March 7, which is less than three weeks away.
      And Adeyemi, who scored the winning goal against the Blues last week, is a major doubt for the clash.
      The young forward had to be helped off after suffering “torn muscle fibres” in the 4-1 Bundesliga win over Hertha Berlin on Sunday.
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      Adeyemi had scored one and assisted another before picking up the injury.
      A Dortmund statement confirmed: “Borussia Dortmund’s attacking player Karim Adeyemi sustained torn muscle fibres in the home game against Hertha BSC (4-1) on Sunday.
      “He will be unavailable for the team for approximately three weeks.”
      Adeyemi’s potential absence could pave the way for English wonderkid Jamie Bynoe-Gittens to start against the Blues.
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      Jamie Bynoe-Gittens is tipped for big thingsCredit: AFP
      It was Bynoe-Gittens who replaced Adeyemi when the forward hobbled off injured.
      The 18-year-old has been dubbed the next Jadon Sancho, having moved from Manchester City to Dortmund and playing on the wing.
      The young teenager has scored three goals in ten Bundesliga games this season, but has mainly been used off the bench.
      However, Adeyemi’s injury could see Bynoe-Gittens thrust into the limelight.
      Although Adeyemi himself played down his injury on social media.
      Following Sunday’s win, he wrote on social media: “+3 we win as a Team! Don’t worry soon I’m back.” More

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      Why forgotten Newcastle man Loris Karius’ Champions League final nightmare would NOT have happened today

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      LORIS KARIUS continues to be remembered for one nightmare half of football in 2018.But it would not have happened today thanks to new regulations to protect players.
      Sergio Ramos caught Loris Karius on the head with his elbow in the 2018 Champions League finalCredit: BT Sport
      The German goalkeeper, who did not get treatment, made two key errorsCredit: PA:Press Association
      The then-Liverpool goalkeeper dropped two shocking clangers in the Champions League final in Kyiv.
      The first, at 0-0, saw the German try to roll the ball to a defender but Karim Benzema stuck a boot out to divert it into the unguarded net and give Real Madrid the lead.
      And then after being beaten by a stunning Gareth Bale overhead kick, Karius’ disaster got even worse when he let the Welshman’s speculative long-range effort slip through his fingers for 3-1.
      It proved to be Karius’ final game for Liverpool as he was shipped out on loan to Besiktas and Union Berlin.
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      He joined Newcastle last summer and could make a shock debut in the Carabao Cup final with Nick Pope suspended and Martin Dubravka cup-tied.
      And former Manchester City academy product Karius, 29, will be desperate to get one over Manchester United – as well as avenge his previous final woes.
      However, his fortunes would likely have been very different in the current game.
      Karius was clattered by Sergio Ramos’ elbow in the 48th minute – taking a heavy blow to the side of the head.
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      He went down hurt, complaining to the referee, but no action was taken and he was not assessed by the Liverpool team doctor.
      Just 132 seconds later, Karius rolled the ball into Benzema before his second error on 83 minutes.
      Dr Ross Zafonte concluded Karius had suffered a concussion from the Ramos incident, likely to have taken effect immediately and “possibly” impacted performance.
      At the time, in 2018, there were no Uefa concussion protocols – and still many are demanding the introduction of concussion substitutes for European competitions or a rugby-style off-field head injury assessment.
      In 2021, though, the organisation did bring in a concussion charter to enable players to be checked over on the pitch for three minutes by the club doctor to determine if they can continue.
      Therefore, in Karius’ case, the Reds medics could have done the relevant tests on their goalkeeper and potentially decided to sub him off – with Simon Mignolet on the bench ready to come on – and spare him the career-defining calamity.
      UEFA head injury procedure
      IN THE event of a suspected concussion, the referee will stop the game to allow the injured player to be assessed by the team doctor.
      Players should remain calm during the situation and not interfere with the assessment.
      The assessment should in principle not take more than three minutes, unless a serious incident requires the player to be treated on the field of play or immobilised on the field for immediate transfer to hospital.
      If the assessment cannot be made after the three minutes and/or a suspicion for a concussion arises, the player should not be allowed to continue playing.
      A player suffering a head injury that requires assessment for a potential concussion will only be allowed to continue playing after the assessment, on specific confirmation by the team doctor to the referee of the player’s fitness to do so.
      The decision remains entirely with the team doctor. Coaches, referees and players are not allowed to interfere in the assessment and decision of the doctor. More