Calls for Review of Head Injury Protocols in Football

In a recent match that ended in a 1-1 draw between Fulham and Crystal Palace, Fulham’s manager Marco Silva has emphasized the need for a review of the rules concerning players who require treatment for head injuries. This call comes after his team conceded a goal while playing with ten men, following an incident involving defender Jorge Cuenca.

During the match, referee Tony Harrington instructed Cuenca to exit the pitch for treatment after he appeared to be struck by the arm of Crystal Palace’s Justin Devenny. Although Cuenca expressed dissatisfaction with the referee’s decision, he complied and left the field, only to see his team concede a goal from a header by Jean-Philippe Mateta moments later.

As per Premier League regulations instituted for the 2024-25 season, a player who exits the field for a suspected head injury must remain off for a minimum of 30 seconds after the game resumes. Silva remarked, “We conceded a goal when the game was completely under control, and I really believe that at that moment we should not have been playing with ten men. Football is meant to be played 11 against 11. We cannot continually summon medical assistance when it is not warranted.”

Silva has communicated his concerns to match officials, stating that these incidents occur too frequently. He believes a review of the current protocols is necessary. Despite going behind shortly after Cuenca’s departure, Fulham managed to secure a point at Selhurst Park.

Prior to the season, the guidelines on handling suspected head injuries were clarified: when a player shows signs of a potential head injury, the referee must signal for a medical professional to enter the field, ensuring player welfare. The player must leave the pitch for further assessment and remain on the sidelines for a minimum of 30 seconds after play resumes.

At a pre-season briefing, Howard Webb, Chief Refereeing Officer for Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), outlined that these rules aim to enhance player safety while also curbing instances of gamesmanship. Webb noted, “If a player shows signs of a potential head injury, usually by going down holding their head, we will ensure that a doctor or physio attends immediately. We want to guarantee that players receive necessary medical attention for genuine head injuries, but we also recognize the need to mitigate interruptions caused by players who may feign injury.”

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