“We are delighted to hear that FIFA is finally willing to listen to our repeated calls to do more to protect players from concussion,” said Peter McCabe, Chief Executive of Headway – the brain injury association.
“For many years we have been saying more needs to be done, but these calls have been ignored.
“There have been repeated high-profile incidents highlighting the inadequacies of concussion protocols in the sport, along with an apparent inability or disinclination to enforce them.
“In the past six weeks alone, we have seen extremely concerning incidents involving Anthony Lopez, David Ospina, Fabian Schar and most recently Jan Vertonghen.
“It is vital that we better protect footballers from the dangers of continuing to play after sustaining a concussion – particularly those playing at grass roots level.
“Introducing temporary concussion substitutes, and allowing for longer, off-pitch assessments to be made, is one simple way to address some of the shortcomings in the system.
“If FIFA and UEFA are indeed ready to accept change needs to happen, we would be delighted to meet with them to assist in the process.”Back