HUGO LLORIS has accused Premier League referees of being excessively lenient in the wake of Ryan Mason’s horror injury.
The Hull midfielder suffered a fractured skull in a sickening accidental clash of heads with Chelsea’s Gary Cahill on Sunday.
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Mason, 25, is currently making “excellent progress” in St Mary’s Hospital in London following surgery.
Tottenham captain and keeper Lloris himself suffered a head injury when colliding with Romelu Lukaku’s knee at Everton in 2013.
And the France international voiced his concern after his former Spurs clubmate Mason, 25, had to undergo emergency surgery.
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Lloris, 30, said: “Something similar happened to me at Everton three years ago. I suffered a blow to the head from Lukaku.
“I remained on the pitch, but should not have continued playing.
“I think a situation like that could happen in any league in the world.
“But it is fair to say that there is this culture of engaging your opponents in combat in England.
“The referees over here favour letting the game flow. Sometimes they let too much go unpunished.
“But that is they way how the Premier League functions.
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“Sadly for Ryan, our former teammate at Spurs, he was left lying on the turf after the clash.
“Thankfully he should be feeling better soon.”
Hull manager Marco Silva says Mason’s injury has put a different perspective on his challenge to keep the club in the Premier League.
The Tigers take a break from their top-flight survival battle on Thursday when they bid to overhaul a 2-0 deficit from the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final against Manchester United.
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But Silva said the club’s main priority was to maintain their support of Mason and his family.
“At this moment we need to forget everything, The most important is the player and his family, the other things are not important.”
Hull return to London on Sunday for their FA Cup fourth round clash at Championship side Fulham and Silva said he would take the opportunity to visit Mason before the game.
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“Yes. After the game it’s impossible for me because everything is fast. Our staff will be dealing with the players. It’s not easy in this moment and the player has visitors, but sure on Saturday I will be there.
“It’s important to support the player and his family, of course it’s not an easy moment for us, the team. But we need to be strong, to be together, to keep the players together and support Ryan — that’s the most important [thing].”