Former Spurs star suffers graphic injury as fans demand shinpad rule change

Fans have called for a rule change prohibiting small shinpads after a horrific injury suffered in the Eredivisie on Sunday.

Fortuna Sittard and NAC Breda played out a 1-1 draw in the Dutch top flight but the biggest talking point was a nasty gash suffered by former Spurs player Lewis Holtby.

The German, who also had spells in England with Fulham and Blackburn, is still playing at the age 35 but ended up with a nasty wound in his latest game.

In the first half, Holtby was caught by opposition defender Justin Hubner as he went past him and dropped to the turf. The referee did not immediate halt play, with no foul given or any card brandished.

But Holtby continued to writhe around in pain and waived his arm in the air to the point that the game did have to be stopped.

ESPN cameras zoomed in on Holtby and uncovered a large open gash right on his left shin. The midfielder was attended to by medics and was forced off following the injury, with Mohamed Nassoh replacing him.

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

If anything can stop the fad of tiny shin pads, maybe it's this gruesome injury suffered by Lewis Holtby 😲https://t.co/Wn5M0MXi7E

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) April 12, 2026

After the damage from the collision, many fans believe that the injury served as an example for why tiny, kid-like shinpads need to be removed from the game in order for better protection for players.

One fan on X said: "Exactly the reason why shin pads are supposed to be bigger than a two-finger Kit Kat."

A second followed up, writing: "Tiny shin pads have become a real controversy in football. In some leagues, players are still allowed to wear extremely small protection as long as it meets the rules on paper. After Lewis Holtby’s horrible injury in the Eredivisie today, that conversation is only going to get louder."

A third person added: "Old school shin pads would have prevented this."

Holtby posts update after horror injury

Holtby took to Instagram after the game to reveal that his large cut required stitches. He wrote, "Some stitches, Eis... will be back in no time. Thanks for the messages."

He also shared a screenshot of the message he received from Hubner, who reached out with an apology.

The message from Hubner read: "My friend I hope ur leg is ok it was never my intention to hit you like that hopefully you be back soon".

Holtby called Hubner a "top man" and appreciated the "great sportsmanship".