There is now a proposal to allow temporary as well as extra concussion subs. https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61777414 As I understand it the idea is to allow teams to play on with 11 players while a possibly concussed one is being assessed. On the face of it this is laudable, but the cynic in me suspects that in certain circumstances either protocol could be used to freshen up a fading team illegally. However I suppose that is a price worth paying to avoid serious injury.
I thought they were already in place for some competitions? But yes would make sense but have to be enforced properly - not as when you say a manager fancies it .
The temporary sub idea has now been rejected by IFAB. But the extra permanent concussion sub talks will continue, with IFAB saying: "It was agreed that further education is needed to ensure the trial protocols are applied correctly." Hmmmm…
If footballers weren't in general such a bunch of cheating, whining, diving sh*thouses who are always looking for a competitive advantage, they might have a chance of improving their welfare and avoiding serious long-term repercussions. Sadly they and their clubs can't be trusted not to take the mick and misuse the protocol and so we're stuck.
Used to play union as a kid and took some big hits that left me breathless and more than dizzy but having played league in Oz it was almost every game that you suffer some kind of head trauma. So yes it's a good idea but footballers are pussies and it will be taken advantage of 100%
It should be run like this: If a concussion is suspected. It needs to be confirmed by an independent doctor. Player comes off. If a substitute slot is available, they are temporarilly replaced if not the team plays with 10 men. The assessment takes max 5 mins. If concussed then the substitution is permanent or if the team had been down to 10 they can bring another player on. If not concussed the temporary substitute (if used comes off). If the player under assesment can go back on they do. Concussion subs limted to 2 extra over and above usual number of subs allowed (maybe 1 only before HT). The possibility of playing 5 mins with 10 men or making the substitution permanent should be deterrent enough for missuse although it's possible they might try and swing it by catagorising a normal substituition for concussion assesment. I think the advantage would be small in this case and more than made up for in the safety of players.
At the top level, where everything is recorded and you’ve got multiple camera angles instantly available, I don’t see why they couldn’t introduce something similar to the NHL, where an independent spotter watches the game with no other purpose beside identifying potential concussions as the game goes on. If they flag something, the player leaves the game to be assessed, and a decision is independently made whether to allow the player to return to action. Allow a temporary sub to enter the field while the assessment is conducted. Take the decision making process out of the hands of clubs and players.
The trouble with your suggestion is: how far down the football pyramid could you impose the requirement of an "independent doctor"? As soon as you go below that threshold, players, coaches and even club doctors will shy away from playing on with a man short while an assessment takes place.
Anything professional has to have St. Johns Ambulance doesn't it? Would certainly make it compusory for Prem, & Champ, maybe further. Would onyl be a man short if all subs had already been used and only for 5 mins max.
