West Ham substitution at Manchester United shows why new rule is ‘deeply flawed’

The mind harm charity Headway has known as soccer’s new concussion guidelines “deeply flawed” after West Ham United’s Issa Diop turned the primary participant to be substitued over a conflict of heads in final night time’s FA Cup defeat away to Manchester United.

Peter McCabe, the Headway chief government, mentioned that the rule which allows groups to make two extra substitutions are inadequate and was involved by Diop initially returning to the sport earlier than being taken off at half-time.

Diop clashed heads with Anthony Martial from a nook within the thirty sixth minute. Each gamers obtained remedy on the pitch earlier than taking part in on the West Ham defender was then changed on the interval.

Headway have known as for short-term substitutions, related to what’s seen in rugby union, so injured gamers could be appropriately assessed.

“The choice to permit Issa Diop to return to the sector of play after being assessed for concussion in simply two minutes whereas nonetheless on the pitch exhibits simply how deeply flawed this new protocol is,” McCabe mentioned.

“When this rule was launched to a lot fanfare, we warned that it might make little or no distinction by way of defending gamers from the chance of extra critical harm.

“Had soccer’s authorities adopted the recommendation of Headway and different main specialists by introducing short-term substitutes, as efficiently utilized in different sports activities, Diop wouldn’t have been prone to exacerbating the harm to his mind through the seven minutes he was allowed to play on earlier than half time.

“As an alternative, he might have had an extended evaluation, which might have included the quarter-hour of half time, in a quiet remedy room. This might have given the medical staff extra time to make their resolution.

“The brand new protocol has failed its very first take a look at. FIFA and IFAB should act now to change the rule and introduce short-term concussion substitutes to keep away from such unacceptable threat being taken sooner or later.”

The Worldwide Soccer Affiliation Board accredited the trial of two new guidelines in December, with the second choice taken by the FA for elite degree competitions till the tip of this season.

To keep away from potential abuse of the rule, opposition groups are additionally capable of make a substitution on the similar time. Because of final night time’s sport going to extra-time, West Ham had been capable of make six modifications in whole.

Manchester United received 1-0 due to Scott McTominay’s 97th-minute purpose.