Premier League to introduce permanent concussion substitutes from 6th February

Premier League to introduce permanent concussion substitutes from 6th February
Players tend to carry on despite having head injuries

The Premier league has approved trials of the use of permanent concussion substitutes. The Women’s Super league and FA Cup will also see the use of the concussion subs from the same date.

Player concerns have been a concern for a long time. The International Football association Board (IFAB) has approved requests to remove any potentially concussed players from the pitch and replace them without using any of their regular subs.

2 concussion substitutes will be allowed for each team

Head injuries are a common feature in football, the new rules will help players to receive more medical attention

The new rule will allow a maximum of two permanent concussion replacements in cases of head injury, regardless of the number of substitutions a team has made already. The opposition team will be allowed to make an equal number of changes.

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“The trial is a result of the IFAB’s consultation with stakeholders and recommendations from their concussion expert group to allow additional substitutions for players with an actual or suspected concussion,” a joint statement from the FA and Premier League read.

Professional Footballers Association (PFA) chief executive Gordon Taylor welcomed the decision.

“We are pleased that English football is taking the lead on this vital issue. Player safety and welfare is paramount; we hope that the trials will be successful and leads to permanent adoption within football globally,” Taylor said.

Wolves forward Raul Gimenez suffered a head fracture in the match against Arsenal. He required 10 minutes of on-field treatment before being stretchered off the pitch and rushed to the hospital. The striker hasn’t played football since and Wolves boss had called for the introduction of concussion substitutes after the incident. 

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