May 24 – Referees at the Copa America in the United States will brandish pink cards for players who may require a substitution because of head injuries.
South American governing body Conmebol confirmed that the new card will apply to players who have been diagnosed as suffering from concussion and it will allow teams and managers to substitute the player without using one of the five allocated replacements.
In a statement, the confederation said: “The Conmebol Directorate of Competitions and Operations announced that, to the five changes per team authorised by the regulations, a potential sixth will be added to take care of the health of the footballers.”
“This is an extra substitution in the event of suspected head trauma and concussion. To do so, the main referee or the fourth referee must be informed and a pink card will be used.”
Conmebol said that a player diagnosed with suspected concussion won’t be allowed to return to the pitch under any circumstances. He will have to head to the dressing room and if necessary to the sick bay. Within 24 hours a doctor has to draw up a medical report about the incident.
This year’s Copa America will take place in the United States from June 21 to July 15, the second time that the country will host South America’s flagship competition. Argentina are the defending champions.
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