Football Club World Cup to trial concussion replacements | Sunday Observer

Football Club World Cup to trial concussion replacements

10 January, 2021

Fifa will trial substitutions for actual or suspected concussion at the Club World Cup in Qatar next month.

Each team will be able to use one concussion substitution per match with the switch able to happen regardless of the number of changes already made.

It will be the first international competition to trial the proposal.

Teams can use five normal substitutes per game but to avoid disruption they will only have three opportunities to make changes, in addition to half-time.

The introduction of concussion substitutes was proposed as a measure to help tackle football’s growing concern over dementia.

Campaigners have been calling for changes in the way the game is played after several former players were diagnosed with dementia, which has been linked to heading footballs. Some football associations have already banned heading in children’s games or training.

The Professional Footballers’ Association is setting up a task force to look at the issue.

BBC Sport understands the Premier League is awaiting the final protocols for how concussion substitutes could work in the English game before deciding with clubs when it will begin its own trial. (BBCsport)

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