Headway ‘disappointed’ by IFAB’s ‘reluctance’ to adapt concussion protocols

Football’s lawmakers have been accused of showing a “reluctance to change” as brain injury association Headway calls for the introduction of temporary concussion substitutes.

A spokesperson for the International Football Association Board (IFAB) told the PA news agency on Tuesday that the matter would be discussed at its annual general meeting on March 3 but that “at this stage, changes to the protocols are not foreseen”.

The issue of concussion in the sport was brought into sharp focus on Sunday when Leeds defender Robin Koch sustained a blow to the head against Manchester United.

Koch was left covered in blood after clashing with Scott McTominay in the 12th minute but returned to the pitch with his head bandaged before going down again and eventually being withdrawn in the 31st minute.

IFAB has an opportunity at its AGM to review its protocol, yet even before the meeting it appears it has already decided nothing will change.- Headway deputy chief executive Luke Griggs

Football Association guidelines state any player who sustains a suspected concussion should immediately be removed from the pitch but both Headway and the Professional Footballers’ Association have already criticised the current protocols.

Now Headway has called on the IFAB to take the opportunity to make alterations to the current process and introduce temporary substitutes so any head injury can be thoroughly examined.

The charity claims that, if IFAB does not consider the move, its commitment to tackling head injuries in football would be called into question.

In a statement entitled ‘Football, once again, shows its reluctance to change’, Headway deputy chief executive Luke Griggs said: “We are extremely disappointed by IFAB’s continued reluctance to