Concussion in football.

[Japhet]

After Raul Jiminez horrific injury, I think it's time for football to adopt the Rugby Union approach to concussion. Jiminez was obviously way too badly injured, but David Luis played on til half time. We had a similar situation with Hugo a few years back. In my opinion, the model used in Rugby where a player can be temporarily substituted while a head injury assessment (HIA) is carried out away from the pitch is the way forward. The player or team have no say in the matter, safe in the knowledge that many would want to play on. I've seen dozens of Rugby players fail HIAs after much lesser impacts than Luis must have suffered.

In the meantime, the very best of luck to Jiminez for a speedy recovery, but I fear his career is over just like our own Ryan Mason.

 

[TheTanguy]

Absolutely criminal by Woolwich's medical staff to let him continue after that collision. Should've been a no-brainer to take him off. I think and hope Luiz will be fine, I fear for Jimenez though.

 

[E17yid]

After Raul Jiminez horrific injury, I think it's time for football to adopt the Rugby Union approach to concussion. Jiminez was obviously way too badly injured, but David Luis played on til half time. We had a similar situation with Hugo a few years back. In my opinion, the model used in Rugby where a player can be temporarily substituted while a head injury assessment (HIA) is carried out away from the pitch is the way forward. The player or team have no say in the matter, safe in the knowledge that many would want to play on. I've seen dozens of Rugby players fail HIAs after much lesser impacts than Luis must have suffered.

In the meantime, the very best of luck to Jiminez for a speedy recovery, but I fear his career is over just like our own Ryan Mason.

This just seems like common sense to me now. It’s a pretty simple, quick process which doesn’t really effect the fluidity of the game and, more importantly, protects the players.

 

[Monkey boy]

Could that be the last time we see Jimenez on the pitch? It was an injury that cut short Ryan Masons career. Very sad if that is the case.

 

[John48]

I have to agree with this sentiment. It seems from what was said it's the footballing authorities that are reluctant to do this, so maybe someone representing the players should take them to court or will take a fatality to get them to do seems to most to be common sense.

 

[ralphs bald spot]

Though its obviously not a laughing matter and I wish Jimenez well

Its always worth recalling the great story that in a Scottish League game one of the players went down concussed the player slowly got to feet. The kit man calls to the manager 'he can't go on he doesn't even know who he is' the manager shouts back 'tell him his Pele and get him back out there'

 

[Nicki78]

I couldn't believe Luiz played on at the time - no regard at all for the player's wellbeing and wasn't surprised at all he was take off at halftime.

As for Jiminez - as others have said feels like could be similar to Ryan Mason situation. You could tell straight away it was bad as wasn't moving at all. Really hope he's OK.

Agree with OP re: protocols though - cannot carry on like this as isn't fair to players to make them feel like they have to carry on.

 

[Japhet]

Could that be the last time we see Jimenez on the pitch? It was an injury that cut short Ryan Masons career. Very sad if that is the case.

I thought it was a pretty reckless challenge by Luis although I obviously didn't see any replays (or want to). I guess it's quite difficult to watch the ball and watch out for your opponent at the same time, but I'd be very surprised if that's not the end of Jiminez career.

 

[thecook]

I thought it was shocking that they allowed Luiz ro play on.

Football needs to take a leaf from rugby and the NFL.

 

[Col_M]

Would you trust managers not to take advantage of tactical substitutions?

 

[Lighty64]

I know it would look different, but with the heading worry leading to dementia for some on in life through the amount of heading, and situations like Mason, perhaps now would be the time for all players to wear protective headwear.

 

[tobi]

Would you trust managers not to take advantage of tactical substitutions?

You can't allow such a thought to get in the way of doing the right thing.

 

['O Zio]

Would you trust managers not to take advantage of tactical substitutions?

First of all, there are ways you can mitigate that, I also don't think it would be much if an advantage anyway.

There are also some things that are just bigger than that.

 

['O Zio]

I couldn't believe Luiz played on at the time - no regard at all for the player's wellbeing and wasn't surprised at all he was take off at halftime.

As for Jiminez - as others have said feels like could be similar to Ryan Mason situation. You could tell straight away it was bad as wasn't moving at all. Really hope he's OK.

Agree with OP re: protocols though - cannot carry on like this as isn't fair to players to make them feel like they have to carry on.

Agree completely. Absolutely disgraceful that Luiz was allowed to play on. There should be a proper enquiry as to what exactly happened between the medical staff and the coaches. Either the doctors are dangerously inept or the coaching staff have pressured them to go against their medical opinion and allow him to continue. Either way it's an incredibly dangerous situation and can't be allowed to happen.

Football is years behind other sports with these sorts of things.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

Would you trust managers not to take advantage of tactical substitutions?

They'd have a neutral doctor making the decisions.

A head collision would require a temporary substitution without the manager having any say. If there is not head collision for the doctor to be concerned about, he won't order a substitution and the

If a player / manager / club medic requests a temporary substitution, VAR could be used to verify whether a head collision took place before the ref sanctions it - play could be paused for 30 seconds or so if necessary, but in most cases play will be stopped with the player down on the field of play anyway. If VAR confirms the head collision, the manager would not only be allowed to make the temporary change, but the neutral medic would be mandated to instruct it. If no head collision occurred then the sub would not be sanctioned.

If a player is retrospectively caught faking a head injury (i.e. pretending they took a blow to the head when replays show they didn't), they could be given a lengthy ban for cheating - like happened after a rugby union blood bin cheating incident.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

It's good that the attitude has finally changed from praising "courageous" players for continuing with head injuries to wanting players to be forced off regardless of whether they wish to continue.

Back in 2013, Spurs took heavy criticism for allowing Lloris to continue with concussion, yet only 2-3 months earlier Kyle Walker was praised for playing on with concussion...and the media failed to acknowledge its hypocrisy.

 

[yankspurs]

I'm not a fan of a substitution coming on for a head injury and then the player with the head injury coming back on. If someones going to be introduced for a player, it should be for the game, IMO. It wouldn't seem right for one to come on, play for 5 minutes & potentially score then come back off & perhaps be subbed back on later. You'd be moving toward a model seen in other sports. I do think something needs to be done immediately. It's quite obvious to the naked eye when players aren't right yet they are playing on. Thats not fault of of the player. It's up to the medical staff & the manager to see the obvious. There should be a 5 minute stoppage to check on the player & every game should have at least 1 neurologist in attendance. I would be okay with making a head injury substitution not count toward the 3 allotted. 3 + 1 for a head injury sounds good to me.

Luiz playing on yesterday was a joke. It was obvious he wasn't right. It was a nasty clash that has potentially ended one of their careers and left the other with a visible concussion who played on for awhile. What if he suffered another head injury? The consequences for that could have been catastrophic. Arsenal's medical staff & Arteta really need to be held accountable here.

 

[mr ashley]

I'm not a fan of a substitution coming on for a head injury and then the player with the head injury coming back on. If someones going to be introduced for a player, it should be for the game, IMO. It wouldn't seem right for one to come on, play for 5 minutes & potentially score then come back off & perhaps be subbed back on later. You'd be moving toward a model seen in other sports. I do think something needs to be done immediately. It's quite obvious to the naked eye when players aren't right yet they are playing on. Thats not fault of of the player. It's up to the medical staff & the manager to see the obvious. There should be a 5 minute stoppage to check on the player & every game should have at least 1 neurologist in attendance. I would be okay with making a head injury substitution not count toward the 3 allotted. 3 + 1 for a head injury sounds good to me.

Luiz playing on yesterday was a joke. It was obvious he wasn't right. It was a nasty clash that has potentially ended one of their careers and left the other with a visible concussion who played on for awhile. What if he suffered another head injury? The consequences for that could have been catastrophic. Arsenal's medical staff & Arteta really need to be held accountable here.

I don’t understand why it would matter if a replacement player scores etc. If they’re allowed on the field, they’re involved in play. If they can pass, tackle etc then why not score?

That said, I wouldn’t expect many players who go off for a HIA would return to the field.
Just can’t see how the effects/symptoms of a concussion can be ruled out in less than 90mins of the injury.
But this should be used to add weight to the 5 subs rule. Protect the players

 

[onthetwo]

given the number of times you see players clash heads competing for the ball (Gary Cahill is the one who always springs to mind) im a little surprised that neither skull-caps nor rules changes have been suggested by the PFA.

 

[Japhet]

I know it would look different, but with the heading worry leading to dementia for some on in life through the amount of heading, and situations like Mason, perhaps now would be the time for all players to wear protective headwear.

Any protective head-gear would need to absorb any impact which means it would have to spongy, like an amateur boxers head-gear. Don't think that's at all feasible, and hard helmets as in NFL have internal padding for the same reason.