Premier League approve permanent concussion substitutes

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Decision follows approval of trial by the International Football Association Board.

BHAFC

2020-12-17T16:20:00Z

With player welfare the League's priority, this decision follows approval of the trial by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) on Wednesday.

Premier League clubs including Albion have today voted to introduce an additional permanent concussion substitute.

With player welfare the League's priority, this decision follows approval of the trial by the International Football Association Board (IFAB) on Wednesday.

The trial is a result of the IFAB's consultation with stakeholders and recommendations from their concussion expert group to allow additional substitutions for players with actual or suspected concussion.

The Premier League will look to implement protocols which will allow a maximum of two concussion substitutes per team. The additional concussion substitutions may be made regardless of the number of substitutions a team has already made.

The decision was welcomed by head coach Graham Potter. He said, “When it comes to head injuries, you should really err on the side of caution.

“There are things we did in the past that we don’t do anymore because it's not right.

"One of those things that can change the game for the better is around head injuries and concussions, because the effects further down the line are quite significant. The more we can do to understand that and to help it, the better."

The Premier League will now apply for permission from the IFAB, via The FA, to take part in the trial which could be implemented as early as next month.

Clubs have also agreed to increase the number of substitutes that can be named from seven to nine, but voted for a third time against increasing the number who can be used from three to five. Clubs will be allowed to make five substitutions in FA Cup ties.