From next season the use of permanent concussion substitutes is to be added to the laws of football. The culmination of three years of trials in the men’s game, the decision is a “very important step”, according to Fifa’s general secretary “ad interim” Mattias Grafström, one based “on data and also medical advice”. It’s fair to say not everyone in football agrees.
For the Premier League, players’ unions PFA and FifPro, and a number of national associations, the decision taken by football’s lawmaking body, the International Football Association Board (Ifab), during its AGM at the weekend was a rebuff. All welcomed the addition of the new law, but had wanted further action – namely a trial of temporary concussion substitutes.
