The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has stated that UEFA must take the lead in efforts to reduce the risk of brain injuries in soccer by implementing concussion substitutes.
The game’s governing body, IFAB, approved trials of permanent concussion substitutes in 2020, and the Premier League and Women’s Super League implemented the concept in England last year.
However, the players union stated that the governing body of European soccer had not implemented concussion substitutes in important competitions such as the Champions League, Europa League, and Nations League.
Adam White, chief of the PFA’s specialized Brain Health department, stated in a statement, “This crisis must be handled immediately.”
“As one of football’s key governing bodies, UEFA must set an example and implement the available permanent concussion substitution rule. This is a problem that the PFA will raise immediately with UEFA.”
The union stated that English football authorities must go farther and implement temporary concussion substitutes.
Under current methods, players are evaluated on the field and either given permission to play or replaced. Medical personnel can spend as much time as necessary, but they are under pressure to make choices promptly.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) desires the introduction of a rule that would allow players to be removed from the field for a proper evaluation, with a substitute taking their place. If athletes pass the head injury evaluation, they will be able to return to play.
Simply put, the present rules of the game endanger player health and safety, said White.
Emiliano Martinez suffered a head injury in a collision with teammate Tyrone Mings during Aston Villa’s Premier League loss to Newcastle United over the weekend, prompting the PFA’s newest appeal.
He received medical attention before resuming play, but was replaced minutes afterwards.