PL clubs bow to pressure and agree to trial of concussion subs

PREMIER League clubs have agreed to trial permanent concussion substitutes in response to mounting concern over head injuries.

The league has announced that clubs will adopt an initiative announced by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in December under which teams will be allowed to make up to two additional substitutions for players with suspected or confirmed concussion.

The Premier League’s statement said: “Premier League shareholders today formally agreed to introduce the International Football Association Board’s additional permanent concussion substitutions trial.

“The trial will be confirmed when the implementation of the reporting processes, including private medical information, has been resolved.

“With player welfare the Premier League’s priority, the protocols will allow a maximum of two concussion substitutes to be used per team, [with] the opposition side able to use the equivalent number.

“The additional concussion substitutions may be made regardless of the number of substitutions a team has made.

“The trial is a result of the IFAB’s consultation with stakeholders and recommendations from its concussion expert group to allow additional substitutions for players with actual or suspected concussion.”

The move comes after Wolves striker Raul Jimenez suffered a fractured skull in a clash of heads with Arsenal defender David Luiz on November 29.

In addition, a series of high-profile former players have been diagnosed with dementia, leading to concerted calls for greater consideration of the impact of head trauma in the game.