Premier League agrees to trial concussion substitutions

The move, which will begin on an initial trial basis, will see clubs able to use a maximum of two changes for suspected head injuries per game

Ben Burrows
Wednesday 20 January 2021 10:05 EST
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The Premier League is set to trial concussion substitutes
The Premier League is set to trial concussion substitutes (Getty Images)

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The Premier League has formally approved the use of concussion substitutes for the first time, it has been confirmed.

The move, which begins on an initial trial basis, will see clubs able to use a maximum of two changes for suspected head injuries per game.

The additional concussion subs may be made regardless of the number of changes a team has made already in any given match.

"Premier League Shareholders today formally agreed to introduce the International Football Association Board’s (IFAB) additional permanent concussion substitutions trial," a statement read.

"The trial will be confirmed when the implementation of the reporting processes, including private medical information, has been resolved with IFAB and FIFA.

"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 already.

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

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