FIFA campaign on the danger of concussions

The world football association (FIFA) is launching an awareness campaign on the dangers of concussions. Under the motto “Suspect and Protect: No Match is Worth the Risk”, the campaign, together with the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to raise awareness of the health risks and symptoms of traumatic brain injuries. The campaign also includes guidelines for a safe return to play after a suspected or confirmed concussion.

The campaign spans from professional to children’s and grassroots football. Proven possible long-term consequences of concussions include the earlier onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, as well as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive degenerative disease of the brain.

Experts call for ban on headers

Concussions are a major risk, especially in contact sports such as boxing, ice hockey, rugby and American football. The issue is also becoming more and more of a focus in football, with some experts calling for a ban on headers. In the USA, headers were already banned in youth sports for children under the age of eleven as a precautionary measure.

At a meeting in March, the rule makers of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) decided, among other things, that, regardless of the substitutions already made, there could be an additional substitution if a concussion was suspected.