IFAB: Football's law-making body to review concussion protocols

An expert group has been set up by International Football Association Board (IFAB), football's law-making body, to decide on matter of introducing concussion substitutes in football. Rule-makers have begun looking into wher changes in  existing laws are needed to provide for better treatment of players who suffer concussions during a game

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Football concussions: FIFA open to changes

FIFA are mselves w open to having a 10-minute assessment of players with a suspected concussion, as well as giving more powers to ir own match doctor in FIFA-organised matches. y are also ready to back up new protocols with sanctions following past examples of ir current guidelines being flouted and subsequent disciplinary consequences.

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world players' union FIFPro as well as  European football body, UEFA have asked for new guidelines for dealing with players who suffer a blow to head. FIFPro are also pushing for medics independent from FIFA or competing teams to have final say on wher a player continues, as well as a ‘return to play’ protocol following a concussion that is applied globally across competitions. A minimum of six days is currently recommended in most sports at international level. 'Return to play protocols' and issue of examination by independent doctors will t be a matter for IFAB, who have power to change rules of game. This means that ir focus will be on concussion substitutes and how long a player with a head injury can be reviewed. 

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At present, referees must stop match in cases of suspected concussion to allow examination of injured player who can only return to game with permission from team doctor. However, FIFPro wants players to be looked at by a neutral doctor and temporary substitutions to be allowed for up to 10 minutes while examination takes place.

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