The world players’ union FIFPro has called on FIFA to “make a good decision” by allowing trials of temporary concussion replacement players in the Premier League, Major League Soccer and French Ligue 1.
Debate over how best to deal with athletes with possible concussions has raged over the years, and many experts believe that athletes are not properly evaluated by independent bodies. The best option is to keep the decision away from coaches and players by allowing temporary substitutes while they are out. A doctor in a quiet environment.
This approach, which takes 15-20 minutes, is already used in rugby, but FIFA is not convinced that temporary replacement players are suitable for the game and favors a different approach. Substitute if you need to rate the player.
Changes to football law must be approved by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), an organization founded in 1886 to standardize rulebooks. FIFA’s permanent concussion alternative trial was approved in December 2020, and the protocol has been used at dozens of competitions, including last month’s Men’s World Cup.
But FIFPro has never been convinced that the option of adding permanent replacements will lead to the more fundamental attitude change that is really needed to protect players.
Last month, the players’ union co-signed a letter from the World League Forum, an organization representing 45 major domestic competitions, to the IFAB asking for permission to allow trials of temporary concussion substitutes.
The letter was athletic The top leagues and their respective players’ unions in England, France and the United States want to start trials as soon as possible, with the latter starting the new MLS season on February 25.
It’s no coincidence that these three leagues are pushing the hardest for trials, as the debate over contact sports and head injuries is far ahead of most other major football nations. In fact, it is possible that MLS will hire temporary replacements. Because this is what US lawmakers enforce.
Time is tight, but the IFAB will hold its annual business meeting in London next week. Normally scheduled for the fall, the ABM, which has been moved for the Qatar World Cup, is an opportunity for football stakeholders to propose new laws, amendments and trials.
For historical reasons, the IFAB is made up of four members of the English Football Associations and five members of FIFA.
As previously mentioned, FIFA has been against temporary concussion substitutes. FIFA also noted that concussions are relatively rare, and that some coaches have used them as a tactical advantage. There are some in-game people who continue to worry about abusing the system to get .
Meanwhile, FIFPro believes it can no longer ignore the growing evidence suggesting that football is underestimating the risk and prevalence of concussions, with players clearly having concussions not playing. It gives many examples of what is allowed. I didn’t want to create a permanent replacement.
The most recent incident involved Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand playing after clashing with his teammate in the World Cup opener against England. He ended up leaving on a stretcher.
FIFPro Executive Director Jonas Beerhoffmann told reporters on a conference call this week: The pressure of the moment clearly influences good decisions.
“The message ‘When in doubt, shut up’ is clearly not pervasive. Temporary replacements believe football will help them get there. ”
The UK FA agrees with him and is organizing a meeting with three other UK FAs to find a common position before Wednesday’s meeting. It is understood that the Scottish FA embraces this idea, but this is not surprising as the two associations have co-funded research into the long-term effects of head injuries.
The IFAB itself is neutral on the issue, despite mounting criticism from campaigners and experts. athletic A small team of permanent staff will try both permanent and temporary substitutes to let each competition organizer decide which is best, and which method will bring about a mindset shift that all experts agree needs. We understand that you are open to the idea of verifying
However, what the IFAB wants to avoid is confusion about what is allowed and the risk of losing control of the debate.
Under that rule, decisions in ABM are made by majority vote. So, for example, his four nations at home, or even just his three of them, could vote against FIFA to allow a temporary alternative trial. However, a 75% majority is required for decisions at the AGM to approve changes to the law.
It is understood that the UK FA is pushing for consensus to allow trials of both additional permanent and temporary alternative solutions, with FIFA calling for a block vote at the AGM. You’re unlikely to be forced into a position where you have to use. I’ll be in London on March 4th to change ABM’s majority decision.
“We just want football to make the right decisions and why not everyone want the game to have the best possible protocol, even if it only applies to the elite end. I don’t understand. “If you can, why not?”
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