FIFA doctor sees World Cup as showcase of concussion policy
FIFA’s top doctor has highlighted brain injuries in soccer as his top priority ahead of a World Cup where teams can now use an extra substitute if a player has a suspected concussion
GENEVA (AP) — FIFA’s top doctor highlighted brain injuries in soccer as his top priority Tuesday ahead of a World Cup where teams can use an extra substitute if a player has a suspected concussion.
“I joined FIFA to try and make a little bit of a difference and brain injuries is top of my list. That is the one we can focus on,” said Andrew Massey, who joined the world governing body as its medical director in 2020 after being team doctor at Liverpool. “What we do at the World Cup will be evidenced at grass roots football.”
The tournament in Qatar will be the first World Cup where teams can make an additional permanent substitution in a game for a suspected concussion, on top of the five that can be used in the regulation 90 minutes.
In the final of the 2014 World Cup, Germany midfielder Christoph Kramer stayed on the field for 14 first-half minutes after taking a heavy blow to the face when colliding with an Argentina opponent. He was replaced only after slumping to the ground.
