FIFA has joined forces with the World Health Organization (WHO) to better understand concussions within the sport. “Suspect and Protect: No Match is Worth the Risk” will essentially highlight the risks of concussions, while also providing informational resources to soccer players. The initiative will include those at the top of the professional ladder down to amateur leagues.
Part of these resources include the exact signs and symptoms of concussions. Along with realizing indicators, the program will also inform players on how they can protect themselves moving forward. Several current players, including Flamengo defender David Luiz, are putting support behind the project.
Luiz previously endured a head injury while playing for Arsenal in 2020. The center-back clashed heads with former Wolves striker Raul Jimenez at the time during a Premier League match. The Mexican forward suffered a fractured skull in the incident.
Jimenez immediately left the pitch. Luiz continued temporarily. The Gunners received heat at the time for the decision. The Brazilian defender ultimately missed two weeks of action because of the injury.
FIFA, WHO warn players that symptoms for concussions may not be immediate
Both FIFA and WHO officials expressed eagerness to get the initiative started. “Concussion is a brain injury and should always be taken seriously,” stated FIFA president Gianni Infantino. “Playing football should be something enjoyed safely, by everyone, everywhere.”
“By knowing the signs of concussion, by being aware of the risks, and by treating a concussion correctly, you can help to put player safety first.”
“Concussion is a public health issue of concern at all levels of football, and many other sports, requiring greater levels of awareness and action,” added WHO director-general Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“That is why WHO is proud to team up with FIFA on the Suspect and Protect campaign to promote ways to protect the brains of footballers, young and old, around the world from the risks of concussion.”
The joint project states that any player who sustains a potential head injury must go to tests for concussion symptoms. FIFA and WHO also warned players, coaches, and doctors that specific symptoms could take up to 72 hours to become noticeable.
Players showing any form of concussion symptoms must leave the pitch with immediate effect. Doctors then have to examine the injured player within 24 hours of the previous incident.
Several former players recently sued English FA, IFAB over issue
News of the project comes just months after 17 former players announced a lawsuit against governing bodies of the sport. The suit alleged that several associations, including England’s FA and the International Football Association Board (IFAB), were negligent to ex-players. IFAB determines the rules and regulations of the sport.
The crux of the case directly involved concussions. “At all material times, the defendants knew, or ought reasonably to have known, of the likelihood of brain injuries, including long-term neurological injuries, due to the cumulative effect of repeated… injuries to the brain occurring in the sport”, claimed the prosecutors.
The former players involved in the case stated that they suffered from “permanent long-term neurological injuries” because of the alleged negligence. Previous research has shown that soccer players are significantly more likely to pass away from dementia than the general public.
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