FIFA Prioritises Players Safety, Considering 3-Minute Stoppage For Probable Concussions

Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the world governing body for football is erring on the side of caution after announcing on Tuesday that it has plans to adopt a three-minute stoppage rule that will allow injured players to be evaluated for probable concussions during a match.

“Under the proposal, whenever a suspected incident of concussion occurs, the referee will have the ability to stop the game for three minutes, allowing the relevant team doctor to complete an on-pitch assessment and decide if the player has suspected concussion,” according to a FIFA article posted in their official website.

“The referee will only allow the injured party to continue playing with the authorisation of the team doctor, who will have the final decision,”

FIFA admitted in the same article that recent high-profile events particular in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil have prompted the organisation to re-evaluate their in-game protocols on such possibly dangerous incidents.

In the championship match between Germany and Argentina in the World Cup, German mid-fielder Christoph Kramer’s was hit in the head by Argentine Ezequiel Garay’s shoulder but the former played on for about 14 minutes before he was checked and got pulled out even though he was clearly playing disoriented during this stretch.

“I can’t remember that much from the game,” Kramer said then about the incident. “I don’t know anything from the first half. I thought later that I went straight off after the incident. How I got to the changing rooms I do not know. I don’t know anything else.”

FIFA also said that they are working with their medical team for future programs that will educate all the personnel involved in a football match.

“The Medical Committee, under the chairmanship of Dr. Michel D’Hooghe, also stressed that an education programme for team doctors, coaches, referees, officials and players should be undertaken,” the FIFA report added.

The Kramer injury example is just one of the many examples on why probable concussions should be addressed accordingly in future football matches— FIFA’s new protocol is a step in the right direction for the safety of all its players.