CONCUSSION substitutes will be allowed in the Premier League from NEXT week.
But Wembley chiefs will not introduce the measure into the FA Cup until the fifth round.
David Luiz playing on after a heavy blow against Wolves in November emphasised calls for concussions substitutesCredit: AFP or licensors
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham and Prem counterpart Richard Masters were keen for English football to trial the measure after it was approved by Fifa and lawmakers Ifab last month.
They needed Ifab approval, which was delayed by the festive break, to bring the new temporary Law into the English game.
That has now been granted and Prem clubs will formally back the measure at tomorrow’s virtual ‘shareholder’ meeting, to come into effect from the upcoming full midweek programme next week.
Under the new Laws, each team will be allowed two permanent concussion substitutes if players have head injuries, assessed by qualified medics.
But to avoid potential ‘gaming’ by cynical managers seeking to take advantage of the new Laws, the opposing coach will also be allowed to make extra substitutions on top of the standard three changes.
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The FA led the call for the Law to be brought in after growing increasingly concerned at links between football and dementia.
Wembley bosses had wanted to introduce it from the third round stage of the FA Cup.
But guidelines and requirements for all clubs in competitions using the Law to have full-time medical officers and the short timespan mean it will not be brought in this weekend although it should be for the fifth round next month.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta discuses the risks of concussion after David Luiz collision
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
