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RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -- The world players union on Friday accused World Cup organizer FIFA of failing to protect Uruguay midfielder Alvaro Pereira after he played on following a hard blow to the head that he said felt "like the lights went out." Pereira lay motionless after colliding with Raheem Sterlings knee in the 61st minute of Uruguays 2-1 victory on Thursday. Even though he appeared like a punch-drunk boxer, Pereira ultimately was allowed to return in the 63rd minute. The union urged FIFA "to conduct a thorough investigation into its own competition concussion protocol which failed to protect Uruguayan footballer Alvaro Pereira." It asked for "urgent talks and immediate assurances that FIFA can guarantee the safety of the players." It also suggested possible rule changes so players suspected of being concussed can be temporarily substituted while theyre diagnosed. "Football is awash with incidents in which players suffer potentially concussive blows to the head and stay on the pitch. In Pereiras case, he demanded to play on, overruling advice from Uruguays team physician for him to be immediately substituted," FIFPro said in a statement. "FIFPro understands that in certain moments, faced by the pressures of such an important international stage, many players would react in this way. There are times, however, when the players also require greater protection against the prospect of making any rash decisions." As he slid for a ball just outside Uruguays penalty area, Pereiras temple inadvertently struck Sterlings left knee. "After the hit, I only recall that I was unconscious for an instant," he said. "It was like the lights went out a little bit." Teammates surrounding the motionless player signalled for a stretcher. Team medical staff came onto the field. Pereira wobbled to the sideline. Uruguay physician Dr. Alberto Pan signalled for a substitution. Pereira seemed to be having trouble maintaining his balance. He argued and angrily wagged a finger to signal he didnt want to be substituted. "I said sorry a thousand times to the doctor because I was dizzy. It was that moment your adrenaline flowing in your body, maybe without thinking ... what I really wanted to do was to help get the result," the 28-year-old Sao Paulo FC player recalled. "What really matters is that everything is OK. Nothing happened. It was just a scare". Pereira said a team doctor and a FIFA physician checked him after the match. There was no immediate confirmation on whether he sustained a concussion, a subject that is slowly moving up the agenda in the sport. FIFPro said it would monitor Pereiras health on Friday. "He must be subjected to further evaluation and follow-up procedures that help determine if and when he can return to training," it said. The union said it also is considering appointing its own independent doctors "for all future FIFA competitions." "The World Cup must set the standard for player health and safety to educate the international football community. Medical evidence shows that a person faces the risk of very serious brain injury, or worse, if he or she suffers a severe head trauma from a concussive blow," FIFPro said. "Furthermore, FIFPro states any sideline concussion assessment must not be conducted solely by a national team physician. In order to ensure real independence, FIFPros involvement, as the international authority representing the interests of the players, would ensure they are insulated at all times." In the English Premier League, Tottenham came under scrutiny in November for an incident involving goalkeeper Hugo Lloris. Currently with the France squad at the World Cup, Lloris was allowed to play on after he was briefly knocked unconscious during a game after colliding with Evertons Romelu Lukaku, despite medical advice he leave the match. Cheap Air Jordan Nz Clearance . "Hopefully well get all this out of the way," he said, "and everyone will be healthy the rest of the year." Zimmerman was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday and is expected to miss between four to six weeks. Cheap Air Jordan Nz Sale . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. http://www.cheapairjordannz.com/. And he said Sunday that players believe nobody in Sterlings family should be able to own the Los Angeles Clippers if hes gone. Cheap Air Jordan Nz Online .The Ottawa Senators winger was relegated to a corner seat in the locker-room to allow Daniel Alfredsson to return to his regular stall one last time. Cheap Air Jordan Nz . Jeff Green and Jordan Crawford each scored 19 points, Bass added 15 points and had a game-saving block in the closing seconds Saturday, and the Celtics held on for a 103-100 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.TORONTO -- The elaborate designs Dominic Oduro has worn shaved in his hair have included a black and yellow striped mohawk, a replica slice of pepperoni pizza, and even a neon pink breast cancer ribbon with matching pink mohawk. But Oduro turns heads on the pitch for more than his distinctive hairstyles, and thats all Toronto FC cares about. "I dont think Ill be joining him in any fashion choices," Toronto captain Steven Caldwell said, laughing. "No interest in his hair. Were only interested in his talents on the pitch." TFC acquired the speedy Ghana forward/winger in a trade with the Crew on Friday, sending Spanish winger Alvaro Rey to Columbus. Toronto hopes to have Oduro in the lineup when they host the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday. The 28-year-old Oduro, whose Twitter handle is "Freakyfast8," has 46 goals in 228 MLS appearances, including 139 starts. "Were talking about the fastest or one of the top three fastest guys in the whole league, so its very exciting to have Dominic join us," Caldwell said. "Hes been a dangerous opponent of ours since I came here, scored a couple of goals and been a real thorn in the side. When were defending for long periods with Dominic in the park we can break with such pace, and cause every team in the league problems." The colourful character earned mention on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" after a 2013 goal celebration against Chicago that saw him take a bite of pizza after being passed a slice by a waiting accomplice. Oduro then gave the rest of the pizza to a fan in the stands. He showcased his love for pizza by having the design of a slice shaved into his hair. Asked what he knows about his new teammate, star striker Jermain Defoe said "I just heard that hes fast. I heard that hes really quick. At the end of the day the club has done good business so I can imagine that hes going to improve the team. And he knows that hes coming into a good team, so hopefully he can come and get off to good start and help the team." Toronto (5-4-1) is in sixth in the Eastern Conference -- one spot out of the playoffs -- with several games in hand, and hopes to head into the three-week break for the World Cup on a high note. Coach Ryan Nelsen said hes coveted Oduro since last season, when the six-foot-one player scored in two of the three meetings between the teams. "We know his character really well, we know who he is, and we know that when we scouted Columbus, hes one of the guys that you worry about. Most teams when they scout Columbus, you worry about Dominic Oduro," Nelsen said. "Hes proved in the league that he can be pretty devastating. Hes a nice age, hes got good MLS experience, and can play a couple of positions and hes going to be a very valuable asset to our club." Wheen asked if Toronto was lacking in speed before acquiring Oduro, Nelsen said: "No, but pace always helps doesnt it? "Its always nice to have probably the fastest guy in the league on your team, a guy who scored double-figure goals in the league.dddddddddddd It helps, he can play right midfield, he can play striker, so its just another weapon in the arsenal that were trying to build. Were trying to make the squad better, deeper, and we always look to be creative, and well keep doing that." Oduro, who was to arrive in Toronto later Friday, had a career-high 13 goals last season, but is goalless in 11 games (six starts) this season. Prior to Columbus, he played for Chicago, Dallas, Houston and New York. "To my new team, Toronto hope to help the team move forward. Thanks for everyones love and support," the Ghanaian tweeted Friday. Another tweet read: "Wanna thank the Crew organization for the opportunity they gave me to play for them. It was blast but in the end guess it didnt work out." Toronto doesnt play again until June 27 when they travel to New York to face the Red Bulls, and Nelsen said hed love to head into the break with a victory. "Of course its important, to get back to winning ways in front of our home fans," Nelsen said. "Were really motivated, could put us in a really nice position in the league, weve many games in hand." Toronto dropped a 1-0 decision in Montreal on Wednesday, as the Impact won the Amway Canadian Championship, which doesnt count toward Major League Soccer standings. Defoe said his teammates had put that loss behind them. "I think the league is more important," said Jermain Defoe. "To be honest I think that was the main goal before the season started, to have a good run in the league and hopefully get in the playoffs. Now its important to focus on the league, no distractions. Were on a good run at the minute." TFCs last league game was a 3-2 win over Columbus last weekend. San Jose (4-4-4) is coming off its first road win of the season, beating FC Dallas 2-1. "Theyre a very good team, they dont give you much, they have very good centre backs there, and theyre just a very very hard working, solid, well-organized team and they dont give you much in terms of goals," Nelsen said of the Earthquakes. "Credit to Mark Watson, their coach (who is Canadian). Theyre like him, just hard and organized. It will be a very very difficult game." The 24-year-old Rey, meanwhile, had one goal in 20 appearances for Toronto. He made six starts, with one substitute appearance, this season but had been slowed by injury and dropped behind Jonathan Osorio on the left side on depth chart. Prior to joining the Toronto, Rey scored three goals in 28 appearances for Spanish side Xerez. ' ' '