The FA has introduced new guidelines for head injuries and concussion

[Mattspur]

The FA has introduced new guidelines for head injuries and concussion for the 2014/15 season

http://www1.skysports.com/football/...injuries-and-concussion-for-the-201415-season

The Football Association has introduced new guidelines and rules for the management of concussion and head injuries next season.

The campaign, which is supported by the Premier League, Football League and League Managers' Association, is accompanied by an education programme which will be rolled out in conjunction with the Professional Footballers’ Association to help raise awareness among players.

 

[nailsy]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47693546

A brain injury charity wants Uefa to investigate why Fabian Schar was allowed to carry on playing for Switzerland after being knocked unconscious in a Euro 2020 qualifier.

Schar collided with Georgia's Jemal Tabidze and received emergency help.

The incident occurred after 24 minutes and Newcastle United defender Schar went on to complete the game.

Headway chief executive Peter McCabe said: "What is it going to take to make football take concussion seriously?"

Schar lay unconscious on the ground after the clash of heads with Tabidze during the match in Tbilisi and Georgian player Jano Ananidze rushed to his aid.

The 27-year-old recovered quickly after further treatment from Swiss first-aiders, Swiss newspaper Blick reported, and was able to continue playing, helping set up Switzerland's second-half goals for their 2-0 victory.

"It looks awful. I can't remember anything," the Newcastle player told Blick after being shown video footage.

"I was out for a few seconds. My skull is still humming. And I've got neck ache and a bruise on my forehead. But it was worth it."

Tabidze also lay motionless after the clash, his shirt covered in blood, but he, too, recovered.

McCabe said: "How many more players will have their careers and, more importantly, their lives and long-term health put at risk by the sport's inability to follow its own protocols?

"Put simply, the decision to allow Fabian Schar to return to the field of play after suffering a clear concussion was not only incredibly dangerous, but also a clear dereliction of duty.

"The player's comments after the match are also deeply disturbing and again show the lack of awareness and understanding among players.

"Uefa must immediately launch an investigation into the incident and explain why their protocols were not followed."

 

[hughy]

Two things I find unbelievable:

1. How none of the players, staff, physios, medics, or Schar himself thought it would have been in his best interests to come off, even if it was precautionary. What this article doesn't mention is the man swallowed his tongue and had to receive immediate first aid from a Georgian player.

2. Why UEFA didn't follow The FA's lead in bringing in a rule that if you have a head injury and lose consciousness, you leave the field. FA don't get everything right, but this they did undoubtedly. This was 5 years ago. Are UEFA that fucking slow?



If (and I appreciate its a pretty big if) Scharr collapsed and died 20 minutes later. Now what?

 

[Marty]

Two things I find unbelievable:

1. How none of the players, staff, physios, medics, or Schar himself thought it would have been in his best interests to come off, even if it was precautionary. What this article doesn't mention is the man swallowed his tongue and had to receive immediate first aid from a Georgian player.

2. Why UEFA didn't follow The FA's lead in bringing in a rule that of you have a head injury and lose consciousness, that you leave the field. FA don't get everything right, but this they did undoubtedly. This was 5 rears ago. Are UEFA that fucking slow?



If (and I appreciate its a pretty big if) Scharr collapsed and died 20 minutes later. Now what?

Both very valid questions. Unbelievable that nobody even seemed to consider taking him off.

Also, just a minor point, you can't actually swallow your tongue. The tongue can go to the back of the mouth and block the airway, but that's not the same thing. So when people talk about swallowing tongues, that isn't actually what happens.

 

[hughy]

Both very valid questions. Unbelievable that nobody even seemed to consider taking him off.

Also, just a minor point, you can't actually swallow your tongue. The tongue can go to the back of the mouth and block the airway, but that's not the same thing. So when people talk about swallowing tongues, that isn't actually what happens.

Yeah I just use it as a phrase because that's what it's most commonly (and admittedly incorrectly) known as.

Either way, still shouldn't be playing football again before a full medical check.

 

[nailsy]

The officials in the game were English as well. It was very disappointing that they didn't make the players go off, but can the ref force a player off if the rules aren't in place?

The Switzerland manager didn't seem interested in the incident either.

 

[Marty]

The officials in the game were English as well. It was very disappointing that they didn't make the players go off, but can the ref force a player off if the rules aren't in place?

The Switzerland manager didn't seem interested in the incident either.

Without having the rule book to hand I'd say almost certainly not. Can't imagine the ref had any say.

 

[Japhet]

Football should adopt the same head injury assessment protocols that are used in Rugby. The player and his team have no say in the matter. A temporary substitution is allowed whilst the assessment takes place and if the player passes that, he's allowed back on. In these situations the player should certainly have no say. I speak from experience. I was knocked out playing football donkey's years ago but insisted I was alright to play on. I actually had no idea at all what had happened and never did. I also had no idea what happened for the rest of the match.

 

['O Zio]

IMO there should be a neutral medic employed by the FA/UEFA/FIFA at every game who make a decision on whether or not players are allowed to continue. Importantly, this person should be anonymous. The reason being, if the ref decided to not let a player continue, they'll get all kinds of abuse for it, and there'll be thousands of armchair medics on twitter and on the TV going bonkers about how "it didn't look like much to me" etc. so I think if you leave it in the hands of the refs, theyll be reluctant to use the powerunless it's a really really clear cut situation. Like can you imagine in e.g. a North London Derby if the ref forces us to take off Kane after a collision? Everyone would be going mental about it and how he must be a gooner etc. etc.

By making it someone anonymous, they can make the decision that in their medical opinion is best without fear of all the abuse coming their way.