December 18 – English Premier League clubs have agreed to make up to two concussion substitutions per match from next month in a radical new rule change to protect players from serious head injury.
The move followed a decision this week by the game’s rule-making body, the International FA Board, to approve immediate trials of the idea in the wake of intensive pressure from a number of stakeholders.
Clubs will now be able to make two changes regardless of whether they have already used the maximum amount of subs allowed.
However in the Premier League’s bid to avoid potential abuse of the rule, opposition teams will also be able to make a change at the same time.
A Premier League statement said: “With player welfare the Premier League’s priority, clubs agreed in principle to introduce additional permanent concussion substitutions following approval of the trial by the International Football Association Board.
“The Premier League will look to implement protocols which will allow a maximum of two concussion substitutes to be used per team, with the opposition side able to use the equivalent number.
“The additional concussion substitutions may be made regardless of the number of substitutions a team has made already.”
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