A polarizing moment during the highly-anticipated match between England and Uruguay, Uruguayan defender Álvaro Pereira received a knee to the head accidentally from Raheem Sterling, Buzzfeed reported. Pereira appeared to be knocked out from the contact as he remained motionless on the ground for around a minute as a medical team and concerned fellow teammates attend to him. Pereira managed to stun the World Cup viewers when he overruled a decision by onsite doctors for him to be pulled out of the game and request a substitute in his place. The contact happened in the 62nd minute of the intense game.
However, Pereira, still showing the effects of a concussion, waved off the doctors' call and insisted that he remain on the field and continue playing. He was permitted to do so, helping Uruguay win over England in a 2-1 victory.
Several concerned viewers expressed their thoughts about the doctors' decision to permit Pereira to play despite suffering from a concussion. Twitter user Ives Galarcep said, "Nobody can begrudge a player for wanting to stay on, but right now Pereira's brain is vulnerable. Here's hoping he avoids any bad clashes."
Teju Cole also cited the possibility that Pereira might be in more danger. The Twitter user wrote, "Allowing Pereira back on the field looks medically wrong to me. I don't care how much he protests. Get him off. People die of clots."
On the other hand, many have praised Pereira's gall to continue, using the hashtag in Spanish #loshuevosdepereira, which means "the balls of Pereira."
Zagueiro de Jah stated in Spanish, "The guy PASSED OUT and preferred GOING BACK TO THE GAME. Hospitals or World Cup? Álvaro Pereira can answer."
Although injuries received from playing in major events like the World Cup are being chalked up to experience, former and current US football players have resulted to suing competition operators such as the National Football Association for supposedly concealing the effects of sports injuries like concussion. A $765 million settlement with former players and the NFL is currently in limbo, The Big Lead reported.
