PFA and FIFPRO have written to the ruler of football, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), to encourage the introduction of trials that test the use of temporary concussions.
The Premier League has tested permanent substitutions, allowing the team to replace all players with a head injury even if they have already used their three replacements, with West Ham’s Issa Diop as the first player to use the system.
PFA and @FIFPro have written an open letter to @TheIFAB demanding that temporary concussions be tried.
Read the full letter here: https://t.co/wppVfFeRBQ
– Professional Footballers’ Association (@PFA) April 15, 2021
However, PFA and FIFPRO stressed that the current system still requires an immediate decision to be made about a player’s well-being, when something as serious as a concussion often requires lengthy analysis.
“In England, since the trial began, we are aware of two incidents where a temporary replacement option would have better protected players,” a statement read. “In both cases, the players suffered a head injury but, after an initial assessment on the field, they continued to play. They were then removed when it turned out that their head injury was worse than first thought.
“Both of these incidents were in the Premier League, where the trial is taking place, and involved West Ham United’s Issa Diop and Sheffield United’s George Baldock.”
Diop was the first Premier League player to use the system | Pool / Getty Images
To try to take the concussion protocol a step further, the two organizations called on IFAB to introduce temporary replacements, which would allow players to briefly leave the field for examination while a replacement takes his place.
“The reality of the situation in the game is under pressure,” they continued. “Medical teams can be presented in a situation where a global broadcast match is pending and awaiting their assessment. They have to make a potentially game-changing decision in a multi-billion pound industry.
“We have no doubt that medical teams act in the sole interest of the players. However, the rules do not do enough to support medical staff. The pressure on them will intensify with the return of crowds. It is also important to note that players often try to continue playing while You are not aware of the additional potential risk to their health and the risk of a delay in symptoms.
Baldock would have benefited from a temporary replacement LINDSEY PARNABY / Getty Images
“Temporary concussions have been used successfully in other sports. In addition, a new FIFPRO survey of 96 professional football club doctors from the first league Belgium, English and French leagues shows that 83% believe that the use of temporary concussions would form an effective part of future protocols.” is part of a research paper recently submitted to BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine).
“Safety and welfare for players is paramount and should be the only priority. Therefore, we write to ask IFAB’s Board to extend the scope of the 18-month trial to include parallel trials for temporary concussions beginning no later than June 1, 2021.”
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