The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) said that UEFA must take the initiative in adopting concussion replacements in order to reduce the danger of brain injuries in soccer.
The Premier League and the Women’s Super League implemented the system in England last year after the game’s governing body, IFAB, approved trials of permanent concussion replacements in 2020.
The players union, however, said that the organization in charge of controlling soccer in Europe had not included concussion replacements into important tournaments like the Champions League, Europa League, and Nations League.
In a statement, Adam White, the director of the PFA’s specialized Brain Health section, warned that “this problem has to be handled promptly.”
“At the very least, UEFA, one of football’s key organizations, ought to set an example by implementing the potential permanent concussion replacement regulation. The PFA will bring up this matter with UEFA immediately.”
The union additionally said that temporary concussion substitutes ought to be implemented by English football officials.
Players are evaluated on the field according to current procedure, after which they are either cleared to play or replaced. The medical personnel is under no obligation to act immediately, but they are free to take as much time as they need.
The PFA seeks a regulation that would allow players to be removed off the field for a thorough evaluation while a replacement entered the game in their stead. Players might resume playing if their brain damage evaluation is negative.
Simply put, White said that the present rules of the game are endangering player health and safety.
As a result of an unintentional collision with teammate Tyrone Mings during Aston Villa’s weekend Premier League loss to Newcastle United, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez sustained a head injury.
He got treatment before continuing the game, but a little while later, he was replaced.