CONCUSSION substitutes could be introduced to the Premier League next season under new plans to be discussed in February.
A law change which would facilitate concussion substitutes in England’s elite league – similar to those currently seen in rugby – is on the agenda for next year’s meeting of the International Football Association Board.
Granit Xhaka was assessed by a doctor against West HamCredit: Reuters
The Premier League are considering plans to introduce concussion subs next seasonCredit: Rex Features
Just last night the issue came up again, with Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka coming off against West Ham shortly after being assessed by a doctor for signs of concussion.
Lawmakers are expected to recommend the trial of several different systems and the Premier League are keen to be involved, according to the Mail.
The Premier League dithered over the introduction of VAR – waiting more than a year after it was first used at the World Cup before rolling it out in England.
But after recent player safety concerns, the League is eager to be front runners in any concussion sub experiment.
A panel of medical experts were appointed last week at an IFAB meet and they will consider how the process would work in practice.
Their next annual general meeting takes place in Belfast on February 29 and the panel’s findings will be discussed ahead of a potential roll out next season.
The panel – consisting sports doctors and football experts – are said to be considering two main systems.
Although the Premier League are keen to be at the forefront of the trials, the EFL will make a call after February’s meet.
New concussion procedures are being discussed and could be trialled in the Premier League next seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
MODELS BEING CONSIDERED
The first model being considered would see any player suspected of suffering concussion replaced by a player on the bench immediately, and not allowed back on for the rest of the game.
This is similar to a normal substitution but the switch would not count towards the three standard subs currently permitted.
The second system under consideration is similar to the rugby model.
Any player with a suspected concussion would replaced by a player off the bench for a period between ten and 15 minutes while the club doctor carried out a concussion assessment.
But unlike the first model, the player would be allowed to return to the field if deemed fit to do so.
The player who initially replaced him would resume his place on the bench in this instance, but if the concussed player could not carry on, the concussion sub would become permanent.
The Premier League are said to be open to a trial of either system and will take guidance from the IFAB.
Prem clubs could vote on the matter as soon as April 3 at the next shareholders meeting.
Recent research by the Glasgow Brain Injury Research Group released in October has found footballers are three and a half times more likely to die from dementia and other neurological diseases than other members of the public.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
