FIFA needs to step up safety measures

The football governing body has come under strong criticism regarding the safety of players

The FIFA World Cup in Brazil faced a lot of controversy. Leaving the off-pitch issues aside, one of the major talking points was regarding the safety of players. There were three incidents in which players suffered concussions but were allowed to continue playing. FIFA came into much criticism from the player’s union FifPro which urged the governing body to review its policy on players suspected of suffering concussion. Unfortunately, only during major casualties like the Marc Vivien foe or Muamba incident does the greater footballing world wake up to the issue of player safety and take it seriously.

Kramer forgets it is the final of the FIFA World Cup

Referee Nicola Rizolli’s revelation that a visibly dazed German midfielder Cristoph Kramer had asked him whether it was the World Cup final is a chilling predicament regarding the as yet undefined player safety norms regarding head injuries. His collision with Argentine defender Ezequiel Garay, where his head slammed into the defender’s shoulder knocked him face - first into the ground. Despite that, he was allowed to continue playing. It was not until fifteen minutes later after the refree consulted Schweinstiger and the German team that he was pulled from the game.

Cristoph Kramer forgot it was the final according to the refree

This was the third such incident surrounding a player who suffered from concussion in the field of play during the World Cup. During a group stage match, Uruguay’s Pereira took a knee to the head from England’s Raheem Sterling which left him flat on the ground, motionless for a few seconds.

Argentina’s Mascherano also suffred from concussion after colliding with Georginio Wijnaldum in the air in their semi-final against Netherlands. In all three instances, the players were allowed to continue playing. Will it take a major casuality for FIFA to stand up and take necessary measures regarding player safety?

Independent medical staff should be present at the ground

Yes, football is a contact sport and injuries are part and parcel of the game. The players cannot be asked to play with more restraint, especially in high stake matches. However, it should not be left upto the player or the team’s medical and coaching staff to decide whether a player should be allowed to carry on after suffering an injury.

The emotions and the importance of the match can dissuade a player from revealing the full extent of his injury. An independent and unbiased medical staff should take the final call regarding the status of the player and if necessary, ask for him to be replaced. Luckily, the three aforementioned players did not suffer any long-term or major injuries. However, that may not always be the case and FIFA should take a look into the matter before any major casuality takes place.

An independent medical staff should decide whether a player can continue playing

FIFA should take a cue from NFL

FIFA could take a cue from America’s National Football League which has come forward with pre-emptive measures regarding head concussions. The NFL has made baseline testing in cases of players suspected or suffering from concussions mandatory.

According to their guidelines, players should not return until they have had a normal neurological exam and cleared by a team physician and an independent neurological consultant. This could come a long way in protecting the players from potential harm and in determining their readiness to return to the pitch. A verbal guarantee from the player is simply not enough.

FIFA could take a cue from NFL which has laid measures to protect players from concussions

We have, over the years, seen many casualties in the field of play. Marc Vivien Foe’s collapse and untimely death in the 2003 Confederation’s Cup and Fabrice Muamba’s collapse at White Hart Lane spring to mind. Closer home, we can also cite Cristiano Junior’s death in the Federation Cup finals. Although the circumstances were different with the players suffering from cardiac failure, the main issue here is the safety of the players which should be of paramount importance.

FIFA did come up with regulations of pre-tournament medical assessments which were made mandatory to protect the health of the players and to prevent such casualties. Now they need to step up and protect players in the midst of the action.