Premier League's temporary concussion sub trial for next season rejected

A temporary concussion substitute trial in the Premier League next season has been rejected by the game's lawmakers.

The International Football Association Board met at Wembley on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of a trial after a request from world players' union FIFPRO and the World Leagues Forum to test the protocol in the Premier League, Ligue 1 and Major League Soccer.

However, Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham, who supported the idea of a trial, said no consensus could be reached.

"There were very strong and very different views in the room, and we didn't reach a consensus," he said.

"We agreed that it would remain under active review."

However, Bullingham conceded there was now no chance of a trial taking place in the next Premier League, Ligue 1 or MLS season.

The focus, he said, was on improving the effective implementation of the permanent concussion substitute protocol.

The news will be a major blow to brain injury campaigners who believe the temporary concussion substitute approach would give the best protection to players.

Meanwhile, referees at next month's Club World Cup will communicate decisions taken after VAR reviews to the crowd as part of a new trial.

One of the great frustrations around VAR, particularly among match-going fans, has been the lack of communication around how a decision has been reached.

IFAB approved a trial that seeks to tackle the issue. If the initial trial is a success, it could be rolled out to other FIFA competitions later in the year including the Women's World Cup.

Bullingham said: "We think it's important in terms of transparency, predominantly to the crowd in the stadium, who at the moment don't get enough information as to what's happening with a decision."

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