FIFA concussion protocols under scrutiny after USA World Cup incident
Experts are urging FIFA to introduce temporary concussion substitutes following a head-clash incident involving U.S. defender Alex Freeman.
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FIFA's concussion protocols are facing significant backlash following an incident involving United States defender Alex Freeman during the team's 2-0 victory over Australia on Friday.
Freeman suffered a head-on-head collision with Australia's Paul Okon-Engstler during the first half. The defender remained on the turf, appearing visibly shaken, before being cleared by medical staff to continue. Moments later, he scored the second goal for the United States after a VAR review.
Neuroscientist Chris Nowinski, co-founder of the CTE Center at Boston University, has labeled FIFA's current policy as a risk to player safety. He argues that the pressure to conduct evaluations on the pitch leads to rushed, suboptimal medical diagnoses.
The problem that persists is that doctors are forced to do rushed concussion evaluations on the pitch. FIFA’s position puts players at risk and means they’re not going to have optimal medical diagnoses and outcomes. Chris Nowinski
Nowinski and brain injury charities like Headway are advocating for the implementation of temporary concussion substitutes (TCSs). This system would allow players to be removed from the pitch for a comprehensive medical examination without the team being penalized with a permanent substitution.
Currently, under IFAB rules used in FIFA competitions, only permanent concussion replacements are allowed. This structure incentivizes teams to keep players on the pitch for hasty on-field checks, as they risk losing a substitution slot if a player is removed but later found to be fit.