Football

How do concussion substitutes work and can the player come back on the pitch?

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6 months ago

June 18, 2024

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How do concussion substitutes work and can the player come back on the pitch?

CONCUSSION continues to be a contentious sporting issue with researchers uncovering more worrying detail about its effects.

How different sports and leagues deal with dazed players is constantly evolving – but what are the rules at Euro 2024?

England’s Harry Maguire was substituted after a concussion at the 2022 World CupCredit: Reuters

Concussion rules were trialled at different competitions before they became enshrined in international football lawCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun

What is a concussion sub in football?

This occurs when a team replaces a concussed player without having to use one of its five permitted substitutes.

The concussion sub is a relatively new addition to world football.

They were first trialled at domestic level in the Premier League, Ligue 1 and America’s Major League Soccer from around 2021 – and were introduced on the global stage at the 2022 World Cup.

On July 1, permanent concussion subs became enshrined in the laws of football.

The Premier League and players’ unions have been lobbying for trials of temporary concussion subs, which would allow players to be tested, replaced but then brought back onto the pitch if they pass medics’ tests.

But that has so far fallen on deaf ears.

A Professional Footballers’ Association spokesperson in March said: “While it’s a positive step that additional concussion substitutions are now being introduced, it’s extremely disappointing that IFAB (International Football Association Board) are still unwilling to let leagues trial temporary concussions subs, as they are requesting.

“Many leagues, unions and — importantly — club medics are aligned in the view that temporary substitutions would be a positive step for player welfare and concussion protocols.”

What is the concussion substitute rule?

If a player cops a head knock and leaves the pitch for assessment, teams at Euro 2024 have two options.

They can opt to inject a set of fresh legs into the game without losing one of their five ordinary substitutes.

The player taken off the pitch will not be able to return.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta discuses the risks of concussion after David Luiz collision

Otherwise, team medics can assess the player without activating a concussion sub in the hope he can return to play.

But during this time, the team will be a player down on the pitch and therefore at a disadvantage.

The Premier League in March slammed the IFAB’s decision not to allow trials of temporary subs.

A League statement said: “We cannot understand the basis for which it has not been approved.

“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.”

Brain injury campaigners agreed, with Headway chief executive Luke Griggs arguing: “This system (permanent subs) has repeatedly failed to protect players.

“It relies on either medics making an immediate judgement or for a player to risk exacerbating their brain injury by playing on for 10 to 15 minutes to see how they get on.”

The Premier League trial of concussion substitutes began on February 6 2021 during Matchweek 23

Sheffield United’s Enda Stevens receives treatment for a head injury