Germany/DFL: Bundesliga & 2.Bundesliga adopt protocol for head injuries

"For the first time, the clubs of the Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga have signed a uniform protocol for dealing with player head injuries in German professional football. The "DFL Head Injuries Protocol" was drawn up by the Deutsche Fußball Liga's (DFL) "Medicine in Professional Football" working group," announced the German League on 30/03/2023.

The protocol, drafted in collaboration with the German Football Association (DFB) medical committee, "serves to raise additional awareness of the importance of dealing with head injuries. It contains measures and guidelines that address the treatment of acute head injuries during training or match operations as part of the clubs' own responsibility. Several annexes also provide support for diagnosis and resumption of sporting activities," explained the DFL. It has been signed by the coaches, sporting directors and team doctors of 36 German professional clubs.

The protocol includes:
• "a basic neurological screening to determine a player's 'normal state', which is mandatory before the start of each season and is useful for the initial…