Fans feel enough is being done on concussion despite views of academics

Almost two-thirds of football and rugby fans believe the sports they follow are doing enough – or even too much – to manage the risks of concussion, despite campaigners calling for more to be done.

A survey conducted by Ipsos last month found 63 per cent of football fans and 64 per cent of rugby fans felt their sports were either doing the right amount to prevent brain injury, or had even gone a little or much too far (18 per cent in both sports).

The view among the majority of fans that the sports are on top of the issue contrasts with the calls from academics, players’ groups and the families of those affected by neurodegenerative disease for the football and rugby authorities to take more decisive action.

Football’s concussion protocols have been described as “a shambles” by Professor Willie Stewart.

He led the FIELD Study, which in 2019 found that footballers were three and a half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative disease than age-matched members of the population.

Since then, the English Football Association has introduced guideline limits on the amount of heading done in training at all levels of the game, from children’s grassroots football right up to the professional level.

Football’s lawmaking body, the International Football Association Board (IFAB) has commissioned trials of additional, permanent concussion substitutes in leagues around the world which are set to continue in the 2022-23 season.

The intention of the trials is to avoid medical or coaching staff taking a chance on a player who is suspected of having suffered a concussion, or be in the position of being forced to keep a player on because the regular substitutes have all been used.

Players’ unions, including the Professional