An expert group has been set up to investigate whether concussion substitutes could be introduced to football.
The sport’s rule-makers have begun looking into whether changes to the laws are needed to allow for better treatment of players who suffer concussion during a game.
Both the world players’ union FIFPro and European football body UEFA have asked for new guidelines for dealing with players who suffer a blow to the head but may need new rules.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the sport’s rule-making body, said that its football and technical advisory panels began discussing the issue on Wednesday.
IFAB said in a media release: “The panels agreed that any solutions would have to take account of both player welfare and the need to ensure sporting fairness.”
At present, referees must stop the match in cases of suspected concussion to allow the examination of the injured player who can only return to the game with permission from the team doctor.
However, FIFPRo says this does not go far enough. It wants players to be looked at by a neutral doctor and temporary substitutions to be allowed while the examination takes place.
However, that could itself present problems, such as teams faking a concussion to allow them to make a tactical change and the questions of what happens if the temporary substitute gets sent off.
MarkfromCroydon
Roar Pro
In line with other sports around the world, i think it's time football started to take this issue more seriously. I'm supportive of a concussion substitute, but the player who has concussion and is taken off must be ruled out of any matches within the 7 days followingthe match, to ensure that they are not further injured, and to ensure that the rule is not abused by clubs.