FIFA: Medical Committee recommends 3 minute break whenever a suspected incident of concussion occurs

The FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) Medical Committee recommended that referees stop the game for three minutes whenever an incident of concussion occurs to let the relevant doctor decide if the player has a suspected concussion, the international body announced at a meeting in Zurich (SUI) on 22/09/2014.

The Medical Committee also recommended an education programme for team doctors, coaches, referees, officials and players to increase awareness on the issue.

The recommendations of the FIFA Medial Committee will be submitted to the FIFA Executive Committee, which will meet in Zurich on 25 and 26/09/2014.

• A collaborative project between FIFA and the researchers from University-Hospital Zurich’s neurology clinic and Zurich’s Schulthess clinic was launched on 12/08/2014.
• Players in the 2014-15 male and female Swiss first divisions are currently subject to neurological and neuropsychological tests, as well as exams analysing the players’ sense of balance and eye movements.
• In the case of a head injury, the players will be examined a second time and, with the…