The FA has confirmed that concussion substitutions will be trialled in the FA Cup third round and Women’s Cup if IFAB give the go-ahead on December 16.
The concept has been supported by IFAB’s advisory panel, who released a statement saying: “The IFAB’s Football and Technical Advisory Panels (FAP-TAP) have agreed that the main proposed principles of an additional permanent substitution submitted by the Concussion Expert Group be explored further and that more clarification on the handball Law be requested.”
FA to Trial Concussion Subs
FA Statement
The FA spokesperson took to Twitter to say the following on the situation: “The Football Association welcomes today’s announcement from the International Football Association Board [IFAB] Football and Technical Advisory Panels [FAP-TAP] in relation to trials of an additional permanent substitution for concussions.
“The FA will support the IFAB FAP-TAP’s proposal at the forthcoming IFAB Annual Business Meeting on 16 December 2020 with a view to implementing the trials at the earliest possible stages of the 2020/21 Emirates FA Cup and Vitality Women’s FA Cup.
“Player welfare is paramount and we believe that this is an important step to help support players, clubs and medical teams when identifying and managing head injuries and incidents of concussion during a game.”
Important Decision
The decision to at least trial such substitutions is crucial and importantly considers the welfare of players ahead of anything else. The idea would allow players to make way should they suffer a head injury without the pressures of seeing their side fall to 10 men.
At a time when those making the all-important decisions in football is being questioned more than ever, too, the FA’s decision will be a welcomed one by fans and players alike.
The hope is that the situation of a head injury and concussion does not occur in a game. Now, however, when it does, should the concussion sub idea be implemented, teams will be in a better position to deal with it.
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