October 2 – UEFA have confirmed that concussion substitutes are not permitted in any of their competitions following an incident in the Women’s Champions league clash between Arsenal and Ajax.
Arsenal and England forward Beth Mead was forced off late in the tie following a clash of heads, after the Gunners had already used up their allocation of three windows for substitutions during the match.
It initially seemed a concussion replacement was being prepared, only for Arsenal to be informed by the referee that the protocol is not in place in the competition.
Concussion substitutes will be allowed at the World Cup in Qatar later this year, with FIFA confirming that changes following head injuries will be permitted regardless of the number of substitutes or substitute intervals already used.
However, major European competitions such as the Champions League, Europa League and Nations League have no such provision, though UEFA did trial the scheme at last year’s U21 Euros.
Brain injury charity Headway has criticised UEFA over the latest incident.
“Arsenal team doctors followed UEFA’s concussion protocols, they rightly prioritised their player’s welfare and prepared a concussion substitute, it is disappointing that this substitute was not allowed on to the pitch,” said Luke Griggs, the interim chief executive of Headway UK.
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