FOOTBALL’S lawmakers are ready to green-light concussion substitutes as part of a new safety policy.
The latest meeting of the International FA Board agreed that player safety must be a priority.
They also believed a new approach to head injuries is required.
Ifab is now set to back ‘additional permanent substitutes’ for potentially concussed players.
Trials of the new approach are set to start in January 2021.
A final decision will come at December’s annual business meeting of Ifab.
An Ifab statement read: “The members recommended further consultation, working with the Fifa medical subdivision and other stakeholders, to facilitate trials to start from January 2021 for any competition that is interested in taking part.
“The Concussion Expert Group (CEG) again emphasised the protection of players is the main goal and that a clear and uniform approach is needed, which can operate effectively at all levels of the game.
“Therefore, the group agreed that applying an ‘if in doubt, take them out’ philosophy would be the best solution to safeguard the health of football players.”
The latest statement appears to suggest a move away from the current protocols, implemented by world players union FIFPro.
At present, players are subject to a ten-minute assessment period, with a player temporarily replacing them on the pitch.
Should the injured player not return, the player who came on to cover for them then stays on.
However, the latest news suggests if there is even the slightest doubt, the player must be taken off for their own safety.
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