October 22 – Trials of permanent concussion substitutes could begin in January, the game’s law-makers have announced.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) said its Concussion Expert Group (CEG) met on Wednesday and agreed to prepare the groundwork for competitions to test new protocols.
“The members (of the expert group) recommended further consultation, working with the FIFA medical subdivision and other stakeholders, to facilitate trials to start from January 2021 for any competition that is interested in taking part,” a statement read.
“The CEG again emphasised that the protection of players is the main goal and that a clear and uniform approach is needed, which can operate effectively at all levels of the game.”
“Therefore, the group agreed that applying an ‘if in doubt, take them out’ philosophy would be the best solution to safeguard the health of football players.”
Exactly how this would be applied remains unclear. Back in February at IFAB’s main annual meeting various recommendations are understood to have been on the table. One favoured 10-minute concussion subs, another the alternative idea of players who show symptoms of concussion being examined for three minutes with the possibility of an additional fourth permanent substitute during that assessment or at a later stage of the game – over and above the permitted three.
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