Tottenham confirm Vertonghen did NOT suffer concussion vs Ajax

Tottenham have issued a statement to confirm that Jan Vertonghen did not suffer a concussion during Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg defeat to Ajax.

The Belgian was injured in a clash of heads with teammate Toby Alderweireld and Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana in the 31st minute of the match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and was left covered in blood as he lay on the ground.

Having left the pitch to receive treatment, Vertonghen then came back on for a few minutes, during which he appeared unsteady on his feet.

He was eventually replaced by Moussa Sissoko in the 39th minute of the match, which Spurs went on to lose 1-0.

Tottenham's medical staff were roundly criticised online for their treatment of the defender, with claims that they didn't follow concussion protocol.

But Spurs now say that an independent review found that Vertonghen wasn't concussed at all.

"Following a thorough review over the past 48 hours by our medical staff as well as by an independent neurologist with special interest in sport-related concussion today, it has been concluded that Jan Vertonghen did not suffer a concussion during Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Ajax," read a Spurs statement .

"The Belgium defender suffered an injury to his nose due to a challenge during the game which resulted in heavy bleeding. He was deemed fit to continue playing after an on-field assessment. All Football Association concussion guidelines were followed.

"Jan was immediately withdrawn as a result of the player informing medical staff that symptoms were developing suddenly and that he no longer felt stable standing up. We have been advised that this was the result of a presyncopal episode, a near faint.

"The specialist has recommended that the player undertakes a brief period of rehabilitation before returning to training."