This spring, football’s governing body Ifab held its annual general meeting. There, among other things, it was decided that an extra change will be allowed in the future if concussion is suspected.
However, the proposal to test temporary changes was not heard.
The Swedish Football Association (SvFF) has its representative board meeting at the end of November. There is the proposal for the extra change on the table – and the rule may thus be introduced for next season.
– It is not that it is directly dependent (that Ifab has made its decision). However, it was probably what initiated it this time, says Tommy Bodin, chairman of the competition development committee at SvFF.
Facts.Ifab
The International Football Association Board (Ifab) is the body that decides on the rules of the game for football.
Members are the international football association Fifa (which has four votes) and the four British football associations from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland (which have one vote each).
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Mats Börjesson is chairman in the medical committee, which is positive about the proposal.
– But you have to remember that there are several things that have been improved and can also be improved further, he says.
Among other things, Börjesson points to the importance of being able to quickly and easily see head injury situations in replays, the possibility of getting time for treatment on the pitch as well as dialogue and cooperation with the referee.
Mats Börjesson, here with the women’s national team during the World Cup in England 2022. Photo: Ludvig Thunman/Bildbyrån
Now another tool can be the extra change.
– We don’t want there to be other reasons why you can’t make good medical decisions. For example, when it is not possible to make the decision because there are no changes left, says Mats Börjesson.
– Then there may have been a concern that this could be exploited and used in the wrong way. But medically it is good, and I don’t think it will be a big problem in Sweden.
The situation that some might remember from this year is when Hammarby’s fullback Hampus Skoglund went on a nasty hit against Gais – and then couldn’t remember anything in the half-time interview.
Another memory gap that is probably etched in quite a few football memories is Germany’s midfielder Christoph Kramer during the World Cup final in 2014. Brommapojkarna’s midfielder Gustav Sandberg Magnusson has in turn told DN about his decision to put his shoes on the shelf after five concussions in one year.
Image 1 of 4 This summer, Brommapojkarna’s team captain Gustav Sandberg Magnusson announced that his football career was over. Photo: Eva Tedesjö Image 2 of 4 Shortly after the bang in the WC final in 2014, Kramer asked the referee Nicola Rizzoli “if this was the final?”. Rizzoli thought he was joking at first, but asked him to repeat the question, to which Kramer said he really needed to know if it was the World Cup final. Kramer was replaced after just over half an hour. Photo: Francois Xavier Marit/AP Image 3 of 4 Ludwig Augustinsson: “You have to have great respect for when it’s a blow to the head. I probably didn’t take it too seriously at first, thinking, ‘Damn, I’m strong. It’s calm. You just have to keep going.’ But then you notice that it’s hard to walk around when the lights are on, to check the phone…” Photo: Virginie Lefour/TT Image 4 of 4 Another national team player who has previously suffered from concussions is goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström. He now plays with a helmet, like the Czech goalkeeper legend Petr Čech. Photo: Jez Tighe/TT
Another event from this year is when national team player Ludwig Augustinsson went into the back in a match with Anderlecht last autumn. The left-back was not checked by the club’s medical team after the blow to the head, and finished the match.
– It was a little surprising. You have to be more careful there. But I think the referee got some criticism for that, he told in connection with a national team meeting in October.
– He lifted me up and kind of didn’t ask… and that’s where I lost a little memory. I was a bit like: “What’s going on?”
Read more:
Gustav Sandberg Magnusson: “I have always had a sense of duty and loyalty within me”
Hampus Skoglund: “I had no idea what had happened”
Football’s New Rules: Extra Changes and Concussion Protocols
Ah, springtime! When the flowers bloom, the sun shines, and football’s governing body Ifab decides to turn our beloved sport into a game of medical chess! What’s the latest plot twist? A new rule to allow an extra substitute for suspected concussions. Because obviously, nothing screams “team spirit” like making sure your players can remember who they are!
Now, let’s break this down. Concussion substitutes were discussed – well, they floated around like a bad joke at a dinner party – but testing temporary changes? Nope, still just an idea. It’s like saying, “Yes, we’ll get to that… sometime before the next Ice Age!”
The Swedish Football Scene
Meanwhile, over in the land of meatballs and Ikea, the Swedish Football Association (SvFF) is gearing up for a board meeting at the end of November. They’ll be discussing that extra substitution rule, likely while sipping some very questionable coffee. Tommy Bodin, the man with the plan at SvFF, assures us this rule isn’t entirely dependent on Ifab’s decision. It’s just made it a whole lot easier to justify. Well, nothing like a good excuse to change the rules, huh?
Who’s in Charge Here Anyway?
For those keeping track, the International Football Association Board (Ifab) is like the queen bee of football rules. FIFA holds four votes, and the four British associations – England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland – each get one. Just imagine the power struggle in that room – like a pub quiz but with stricter ties and fewer cocktails!
Medical Perspectives
Let’s bring in the medical experts! Mats Börjesson, the chairman of the medical committee, is all on board with the extra change. He thinks it’s a great idea because, clearly, players need more than just “good luck” before heading back into the game. Though he does caution that improved visibility for head injuries in replays and cooperation with referees could also use some major TLC. Because let’s be honest – you’d think that someone would have thought to actually look after players by now! It’s 2023, folks!
But Mats is concerned, saying, “We don’t want other reasons to interfere with sound medical decisions.” I mean, who wouldn’t? Next thing you know, players will be asking to stay on for “strategic loss of memory”. “Oh, did I just headbutt the ball? I thought it was my mother-in-law!”
Concerns and Experiences
Ah, football concussions: the stuff of legend. Hampus Skoglund’s unfortunate incident against Gais comes to mind. He ended up not remembering the half-time interview – a quintessential ‘oops’ moment. Or the infamous Christoph Kramer at the World Cup final, who asked the referee if it was, indeed, the final. We were all over there like, “Mate, that’s the least of your worries right now!”
And let’s not forget Gustav Sandberg Magnusson, who retired after suffering five concussions in a year. Talk about a headache! “I’ve decided to hang up my boots,” he reasoned. It’s tough to play pass the parcel when you can’t even remember who you are, right?
Lessons to Be Learned
Even Ludwig Augustinsson faced some peril when he found himself in a match and wasn’t properly checked after a hefty blow to the head. He remarked on the surprise when the referee didn’t inquire about his well-being. “I was a bit like: ‘What’s going on?’” This raises the question, when does sportsmanship cough up the ball to player safety? Perhaps when the crowd is less interested in the player’s health and more focused on who’s winning the beer race in the sidelines.
Extra substitutions for suspected concussions could be a game-changer – and not just for the players’ noggins! Just think of it as adding an extra player to the team, who, let’s be honest, needs a bit more than just love to recover.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, it’s about time we place players’ health at the forefront of the beautiful game. We want them heading towards victory, not straight into the medical tent! So here’s to new rules, sensible changes, and maybe, just maybe, a football culture that places brains over brawn!
This spring, football’s governing body, the International Football Association Board (Ifab), convened for its annual general meeting. Among several critical discussions, the board reached a significant decision to permit an additional substitute when a concussion is suspected, a move aimed at improving player safety on the pitch.
The proposal to implement temporary substitutions for head injuries, however, was not addressed in this meeting, leaving some stakeholders eager for further discussion.
The Swedish Football Association (SvFF) is scheduled to hold its representative board meeting at the end of November, where the proposal for the additional substitute due to suspected concussions will be under consideration. This could pave the way for the enforcement of the new rule as early as the next season, emphasizing a proactive approach to player health.
– It is not that it is directly dependent (that Ifab has made its decision). However, it was probably what initiated it this time, says Tommy Bodin, chairman of the competition development committee at SvFF, highlighting how global conversations are influencing local rule-making.
Mats Börjesson is chairman of the medical committee and has expressed optimism regarding the proposal. He acknowledges the importance of ongoing improvements in concussion protocols.
– But you have to remember that there are several things that have been improved and can also be improved further, he says, emphasizing the continuous need for advancements in sports medicine.
Among other strategies, Börjesson points to the importance of being able to quickly and easily see head injury situations in replays, the possibility of getting time for treatment on the pitch, as well as dialogue and cooperation with the referee, all critical components of ensuring player safety.
Now another tool can be the extra change, enhancing the decision-making process during games.
– We don’t want there to be other reasons why you can’t make good medical decisions. For example, when it is not possible to make the decision because there are no changes left, says Mats Börjesson, stressing the necessity of prioritizing player health over tactical advantages.
– Then there may have been a concern that this could be exploited and used in the wrong way. But medically it is good, and I don’t think it will be a big problem in Sweden, Börjesson reassures, indicating confidence in the ethical standards of Swedish football.
The situation that some might recall from this year is when Hammarby’s fullback Hampus Skoglund suffered a nasty hit against Gais and later revealed that he couldn’t remember anything from his half-time interview, illustrating the real dangers of head injuries in sports.
Another memory gap that is likely etched in many football fans’ minds is Germany’s midfielder Christoph Kramer during the World Cup final in 2014. During that pivotal match, Kramer famously asked the referee, “Is this the final?” after suffering a concussion, a moment that highlighted the potential ramifications of head injuries.
Another national team player who has previously suffered from concussions is goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström. He now plays with a helmet, much like the iconic Czech goalkeeper Petr Čech, a testament to the seriousness of these injuries.
Another event from this year is when national team player Ludwig Augustinsson went into the back in a match with Anderlecht last autumn. Despite suffering a head blow, the left-back was not evaluated by the club’s medical team and continued to play, raising concerns over player safety protocols.
– It was a little surprising. You have to be more careful there. But I think the referee got some criticism for that, he noted during a national team meeting in October, reflecting on the critical need for vigilance in head injury situations.
– He lifted me up and kind of didn’t ask… and that’s where I lost a little memory. I was a bit like: “What’s going on?” Augustinsson recounted, underscoring the importance of proper concussion protocols and awareness in football.
Read more:
Gustav Sandberg Magnusson: “I have always had a sense of duty and loyalty within me”
Hampus Skoglund: “I had no idea what had happened”
S Skoglund suffered a concussion against Gais. He was unable to recall the halftime interview, highlighting the seriousness of head injuries and the potential for players to be unaware of their condition. His experience, along with the incident involving Ludwig Augustinsson, has sparked important discussions about the necessity of stringent concussion protocols within the sport.
Skoglund’s case serves as a blunt reminder that the risk of long-term brain damage from repeated concussions is something that cannot be ignored. It underscores the urgent need for football’s governing bodies to emphasize the importance of player welfare over the game’s competitive aspects. As the Swedish Football Association (SvFF) prepares for its board meeting, the experiences of players like Skoglund and Augustinsson will be pivotal in shaping future policies.
Both players’ experiences reflect a growing awareness in football regarding the need for robust medical interventions and proactive measures. There’s an appetite for change not just in Sweden but globally, as organizations aim to strike the right balance between player health and the demands of a contact sport.
With the discussions at the SvFF and the global stance of Ifab, the hope is that a more comprehensive and decisive approach to handling concussions in football will emerge. Enhanced protocols and the allowance of an extra substitute for suspected concussions might serve as vital steps forward.
In preserving the integrity of the game while ensuring players’ safety, these changes could transform the football landscape, where the emphasis is not solely on the final score but on the health and longevity of the athletes who entertain millions worldwide. As we look towards the future, let’s hope the conversations happening in boardrooms translate into meaningful actions on the pitch, ensuring that player safety is prioritized and that no one has to face the daunting realities of concussion alone.
