FIFA under pressure to reverse their stance on temporary concussion substitutes
EXCLUSIVE: FIFA is under pressure to reverse its stance on temporary concussion replacements as the lead research group they fund declares the current approach is ‘not in the interests of players’ wellbeing’
- The Concussion In Sport Group (CISG) will release a statement on Thursday
- It states that it takes 10-15 minutes to properly assess a possible concussion
- FIFA favors additional permanent concussion replacements, which are in place
FIFA is under renewed pressure to reverse its stance on temporary concussion replacements after the world’s most influential head injury research group – which they fund – stated that their approach is harmful to footballers.
The governing body of the football world has been put in an awkward position because they, along with other sports organizations, financially support the Concussion In Sport Group (CISG), which meets every four years to review the latest research.
A consensus statement is produced from this meeting, described as the “bible” of concussion guidelines because of how it shapes protocols worldwide.
The latest statement from the CISG will be released on Thursday after the international group of experts met in Amsterdam in October 2022 and describes how it takes at least 10-15 minutes to properly assess a possible concussion.
Published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, it says these assessments should be conducted privately, emphasizing: ‘Sports whose rules currently do not allow for such assessments should strongly consider making rule changes in the interests of well-being of the player.’
FIFA is under renewed pressure to reverse its stance on temporary concussion replacements
In football, this would come in the form of temporary concussion replacements. Currently there are additional permanent concussion replacements, the protocol long favored by FIFA and football lawmakers IFAB. That’s despite widespread criticism over several incidents where players sustained head injuries and remained on the field, only to be later removed.
The Premier League wants temporary concussion replacements to be introduced and previously asked FIFA and IFAB if they could try it out from the start of the 2023-24 season. That request was turned down, but the Premier League could ask football’s overlords to reconsider their positions in light of the CISG’s latest recommendations.
The debate over how to deal with concussed football players has raged for years, creating splits at the top of the game.
The Concussion In Sport Group has stated that the current approach is harmful to players
In addition to FIFA, the CISG is also funded by the International Olympic Committee and World Rugby, among others, all of which tend to lead the consensus statement.
Mail Sport reached out to both FIFA and IFAB on Wednesday for comment, but neither responded.