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Lots of Newcastle fans have been discussing what has fast become the talk of the footballing world over the international break – Fabian Schar’s head injury.

The prevention and treatment of head injuries and concussions is shockingly poor in football, and the sport could learn a thing or two from the NFL.

In American football, independent spotters are tasked with looking for any indicators of head injury or concussion, and teams are forced to withdraw players who show warning signs of such injuries.

Switzerland’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Georgia showed once again that football is lagging behind though, as Newcastle’s Schar played the full 90 minutes despite being knocked completely unconscious just 25 minutes into the match.

Developments since the match appear to make things even worse, with Schar admitting, as reported by The Guardian: “I cannot remember anything. I was knocked out for a few seconds. My skull is still buzzing. I also have neck pain and a bump on the forehead. But it was worth it.”

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Brain injury group Headway are furious at the incident: “The charity has demanded Uefa launches an investigation into the circumstances that resulted in Swiss player Fabian Schär being cleared to continue playing in a match against Georgia,” their statement said, as reported by The Guardian.

Peter McCabe, the charity’s chief executive, said: “What is it going to take to make football take concussion seriously?

“How many more players will have their careers and, more importantly, their lives and long-term health put at risk by the sport’s inability to follow its own protocols?

“Put simply, the decision to allow Fabian Schär to return to the field of play after suffering a clear concussion was not only incredibly dangerous but also a clear dereliction of duty.

“The player’s comments after the match are also deeply disturbing and again show the lack of awareness and understanding among players.”

Talk of Schar’s injury and the subsequent developments have swept through the footballing world like wildfire, and the 27 year-old has already been ruled out of Switzerland’s next match against Denmark.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, where loads of Magpies are having their say on the matter…