Football’s international governing bodies have been accused of ‘losing further credibility in the arena of brain health’ after continuing to refuse to introduce temporary concussion substitutions.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) has again opted to continue with permanent concussion substitutions, overruling the introduction of temporary substitutions at its AGM at the weekend.
It also defied widespread calls from across football and brain injury charities in January when it also ruled against temporary substitutions after a player sustains a head injury, despite a proposal from Premier League, Ligue 1 in France and MLS in the United States to trial the new version.
While IFAB claims to keep all options continually under review, its lack of action in this debate has prompted widespread criticism, with high-profile head injuries in England’s matches against Iran and Wales in the World Cup showing the urgency for action in the full glare of the global media spotlight.
The latest move by IFAB to rule against temporary concussion substitutions has met with criticism, with prominent campaigners Headway accusing both IFAB and FIFA of a lack of leadership on the matter.
“FIFA president Gianni Infantino claims football is ‘making player health the main priority’ by extending the trial of permanent substitutes,” says Luke Griggs, chief executive of Headway.
“But this system has repeatedly failed to protect players as it relies on either medics making an immediate judgement or for a player to risk exacerbating their brain injury by playing on for ten to 15 minutes to see how they get on.
“FIFA’s claim that the current system represents a ‘zero risk’ approach is not supported by the repeated failures to take an ‘if in doubt, sit it out’ approach to concussion.
“These failures are in part due to the pressure placed on medics to make binary and immediate decisions in brief on-pitch assessments thanks to the permanent subs rule.
“FIFA and IFAB have had multiple opportunities to show leadership and introduce this important step for player safety.
“Frankly, with every IFAB meeting that passes without introduction of this rule, they lose further credibility in the arena of brain health in football.”
The Premier League also renewed its calls for change.
“We are disappointed that a temporary concussion substitute trial was not approved considering all available scientific evidence and the overwhelming support from Premier League club doctors,’ said a spokesperson.
“While we note that a trial has not been dismissed, we cannot understand the basis for which it has not been approved, and remain convinced it should go ahead at the earliest possible opportunity in the interests of player welfare.”
