.What is this utter bollocks being spouted by TV commentators over the past couple of years... along the lines of '
it wasn't a head injury - the ref doesn't have to stop the game'...
It doesn't have to be a head injury for the ref to stop the game. The ref can stop the game for anything he thinks could be 'a serious injury'.
As far as I remember this has been the case for many years...
'
'Laws of the game'; Law 5 - The Referee'
(www.theifab.com/laws/latest/the-referee/#powers-and-duties):-
Injuries• allows play to continue until the ball is out of play if a player is only slightly injured
• stops play if a player is seriously injured and ensures that the player is removed from the field of play. An injured player may not be treated on the field of play and may only re-enter after play has restarted; if the ball is in play, re-entry must be from the touchline but if the ball is out of play, it may be from any boundary line. Exceptions to the requirement to leave the field of play are only when:
• a goalkeeper is injured
• a goalkeeper and an outfield player have collided and need attention
• players from the same team have collided and need attention
• a severe injury has occurred
• a player is injured as the result of a physical offence for which the opponent is cautioned or sent off (e.g. reckless or serious foul challenge), if the assessment/treatment is completed quickly
• a penalty kick has been awarded and the injured player will be the kicker.
