" Football told to wake up about head injuries "

Former Newcastle striker Shearer, now a BBC Sport pundit, said concussion is an issue football needs to address urgently because "we are talking about life and death".



BBC Sport


Monday 30th November 2020



Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says the introduction of concussion substitutes "makes sense" after David Luiz played on with blood seeping from his head bandage as Arsenal lost to Wolves.

The defender clashed heads with Wolves striker Raul Jimenez, who has since had surgery on a fractured skull.

Alan Shearer thinks "football needs to wake up" around concussion protocols.

Arsenal said protocols were followed regarding the decision to allow Luiz to play on after Sunday's incident.

Asked at a news conference whether he would be in favour of concussion substitutes, Klopp said: "At that moment I didn't think about a rule change, I was just sitting there for 10 minutes hoping that they would both get up without any issues, but that didn't happen.

"I hope Raul Jimenez is as good as possible now, I heard he had surgery. I wish him and David Luiz all the best.

"I know we have concussion protocols and I'm pretty sure Arsenal did that. I'm not sure any rule would help in that moment because the player can play on.

"But, yes, it makes sense that we can do things like this, of course."

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson, who suffered a head injury in a game himself after colliding with Liverpool's Sadio Mane in 2017, is also in favour, saying: "I think all the concern and care is very important. It is a part of the body that needs special attention.

"When there is a blow to the head there should be a substitution, whether the player can continue or not. You could be feeling OK but after you could feel the consequences."

Former Newcastle striker Shearer, now a BBC Sport pundit, said concussion is an issue football needs to address urgently because "we are talking about life and death".

He told Match of the Day: "Football needs to get real, it needs to wake up, it needs to get serious. Not next year, next month, now. It is not acceptable, it has been going too far too long."

Sunday's match at Emirates Stadium was in its early stages when Jimenez and Gunners defender Luiz accidently collided at an Arsenal corner. The striker was given oxygen on the pitch before being taken to hospital.

Having played on for almost 40 first-half minutes, Luiz did not reappear for the start of the second half as he was was replaced by Rob Holding.

Footballers who sustain a suspected concussion, either during training or in a game, should immediately be removed from the pitch and not allowed to return until the appropriate treatment has been administered, according to Football Association guidelines.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said afterwards: "We followed the protocol to check he [Luiz] had not lost any consciousness, which he hadn't, and then some tests.

"They will continue to do some more checks on him. He was really uncomfortable and couldn't really head the ball and couldn't continue."

Shearer, though, believes action must be taken immediately to review concussion protocols to protect players.

The former England captain previously presented a BBC documentary on dementia and is aware of the risks players face from head injuries.

He said: "If David Luiz has passed all the protocols like Arsenal say he has, how on earth is he allowed back on to the pitch with a wound that is dripping down his face?

"We're talking about players' welfare here. Football's protocols allow someone who has a cut that is seeping through a bandage that has just been put on to carry on playing and then he has to go off again 20 minutes later because he can't head a ball.

"Cricket does it, the NFL does it, both codes of rugby do it - they all have better protocols. We're talking about life and death and players' careers ending.

"They're on about trialling concussion substitutes. What is there to trial? It's been going on for years. It's not acceptable.

"We've been having meeting after meeting after meeting. Why do they need to trial anything? Just do it. Do it now. If things needs changing after that, change it."

NEIL HARRIS:


Clash of heads, does football need to do more?

I’ve not seen Alan’s quotes, but I’ve seen the incident (Arsenal vs Wolves).

Dementia, I’ve seen some stats and things about young players not heading the football, I’m all for that.

But it is a competitive sport, competitive game.

You’re not allowed to put your boot up now, aerial challenges are now deemed more serious. The game is more about intercepting than tackles now.

Older players have had to adapt their game. You’re going to get incidents like yesterday, that’s not going to change, unless it becomes below-head-high football.

Motor racing yesterday, the crash. It’s professional sport. How we change it is down to the governing bodies.

Harris

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You can mitigate but never truly eradicate any kind of injuries in any specific sport football included

What happened yesterday to Jimenez was thankfully rare and the decision not to remove David Luis would not have been taken lightly

I think the timing of the incident, the recent emphasis on Dementia and the horrific crash in F1 have provided a lot of air time on accidents injuries but, like in all of life's complicated mechanics, it has to be taken in context

Some will cry 'Stop!' loudly; most will say it's part and parcel of professional sort and one of the reasons those who participate get rather well paid

Notwithstading, I wish Raul Jimenez and Roman Grosjean speedy recoveries from their injures

You can mitigate but never truly eradicate any kind of injuries in any specific sport football included

What happened yesterday to Jimenez was thankfully rare and the decision not to remove David Luis would not have been taken lightly

I think the timing of the incident, the recent emphasis on Dementia and the horrific crash in F1 have provided a lot of air time on accidents injuries but, like in all of life's complicated mechanics, it has to be taken in context

Some will cry 'Stop!' loudly; most will say it's part and parcel of professional sort and one of the reasons those who participate get rather well paid

Notwithstading, I wish Raul Jimenez and Roman Grosjean speedy recoveries from their injures

I think it's ludicrous that David Luiz was allowed to carry on, Chris.

He had blood pouring from his head after a while. He clearly was feeling dazed afterwards and was not going into challenges (Luiz is known for always going into a challenge and picking up needless yellow and red cards).

He could easily have collapsed on the pitch while still playing.

I don't blame Mikel Arteta because he was simply following the advice of his medical staff.

Total irresponsible decision by the Arsenal medical staff.


As a wider issue, why on earth doesn't football have a concussion substitute? Other sports have one or an alternative.

Football is yet again way behind other sports and needs to live in the real world.

You can mitigate but never truly eradicate any kind of injuries in any specific sport football included

What happened yesterday to Jimenez was thankfully rare and the decision not to remove David Luis would not have been taken lightly

I think the timing of the incident, the recent emphasis on Dementia and the horrific crash in F1 have provided a lot of air time on accidents injuries but, like in all of life's complicated mechanics, it has to be taken in context

Some will cry 'Stop!' loudly; most will say it's part and parcel of professional sort and one of the reasons those who participate get rather well paid

Notwithstading, I wish Raul Jimenez and Roman Grosjean speedy recoveries from their injures

I think it's ludicrous that David Luiz was allowed to carry on, Chris.

He had blood pouring from his head after a while. He clearly was feeling dazed afterwards and was not going into challenges (Luiz is known for always going into a challenge and picking up needless yellow and red cards).

He could easily have collapsed on the pitch while still playing.

I don't blame Mikel Arteta because he was simply following the advice of his medical staff.

Total irresponsible decision by the Arsenal medical staff.


As a wider issue, why on earth doesn't football have a concussion substitute? Other sports have one or an alternative.

Football is yet again way behind other sports and needs to live in the real world.

was he concussed ?

You can mitigate but never truly eradicate any kind of injuries in any specific sport football included

What happened yesterday to Jimenez was thankfully rare and the decision not to remove David Luis would not have been taken lightly

I think the timing of the incident, the recent emphasis on Dementia and the horrific crash in F1 have provided a lot of air time on accidents injuries but, like in all of life's complicated mechanics, it has to be taken in context

Some will cry 'Stop!' loudly; most will say it's part and parcel of professional sort and one of the reasons those who participate get rather well paid

Notwithstading, I wish Raul Jimenez and Roman Grosjean speedy recoveries from their injures

I think it's ludicrous that David Luiz was allowed to carry on, Chris.

He had blood pouring from his head after a while. He clearly was feeling dazed afterwards and was not going into challenges (Luiz is known for always going into a challenge and picking up needless yellow and red cards).

He could easily have collapsed on the pitch while still playing.

I don't blame Mikel Arteta because he was simply following the advice of his medical staff.

Total irresponsible decision by the Arsenal medical staff.


As a wider issue, why on earth doesn't football have a concussion substitute? Other sports have one or an alternative.

Football is yet again way behind other sports and needs to live in the real world.

was he concussed ?

Isnt that the point though? If it was rugby he would have been off the pitch for a head injury assessment, with a temporary replacement brought on. He was allowed to carry on.
Football needs to catch up.

You can mitigate but never truly eradicate any kind of injuries in any specific sport football included

What happened yesterday to Jimenez was thankfully rare and the decision not to remove David Luis would not have been taken lightly

I think the timing of the incident, the recent emphasis on Dementia and the horrific crash in F1 have provided a lot of air time on accidents injuries but, like in all of life's complicated mechanics, it has to be taken in context

Some will cry 'Stop!' loudly; most will say it's part and parcel of professional sort and one of the reasons those who participate get rather well paid

Notwithstading, I wish Raul Jimenez and Roman Grosjean speedy recoveries from their injures

I think it's ludicrous that David Luiz was allowed to carry on, Chris.

He had blood pouring from his head after a while. He clearly was feeling dazed afterwards and was not going into challenges (Luiz is known for always going into a challenge and picking up needless yellow and red cards).

He could easily have collapsed on the pitch while still playing.

I don't blame Mikel Arteta because he was simply following the advice of his medical staff.

Total irresponsible decision by the Arsenal medical staff.


As a wider issue, why on earth doesn't football have a concussion substitute? Other sports have one or an alternative.

Football is yet again way behind other sports and needs to live in the real world.

was he concussed ?

Isnt that the point though? If it was rugby he would have been off the pitch for a head injury assessment, with a temporary replacement brought on. He was allowed to carry on.
Football needs to catch up.

This post is spot on HIA'S need to be in all sports,where collisions are part and parcel of that sport.

You can mitigate but never truly eradicate any kind of injuries in any specific sport football included

What happened yesterday to Jimenez was thankfully rare and the decision not to remove David Luis would not have been taken lightly

I think the timing of the incident, the recent emphasis on Dementia and the horrific crash in F1 have provided a lot of air time on accidents injuries but, like in all of life's complicated mechanics, it has to be taken in context

Some will cry 'Stop!' loudly; most will say it's part and parcel of professional sort and one of the reasons those who participate get rather well paid

Notwithstading, I wish Raul Jimenez and Roman Grosjean speedy recoveries from their injures

I think it's ludicrous that David Luiz was allowed to carry on, Chris.

He had blood pouring from his head after a while. He clearly was feeling dazed afterwards and was not going into challenges (Luiz is known for always going into a challenge and picking up needless yellow and red cards).

He could easily have collapsed on the pitch while still playing.

I don't blame Mikel Arteta because he was simply following the advice of his medical staff.

Total irresponsible decision by the Arsenal medical staff.


As a wider issue, why on earth doesn't football have a concussion substitute? Other sports have one or an alternative.

Football is yet again way behind other sports and needs to live in the real world.

was he concussed ?

Isnt that the point though? If it was rugby he would have been off the pitch for a head injury assessment, with a temporary replacement brought on. He was allowed to carry on.
Football needs to catch up.

This post is spot on HIA'S need to be in all sports,where collisions are part and parcel of that sport.

Thats fair enough but football at grass roots level doesn't have the people to make such an assesment. A clash of heads is a clash of heads and it doesn't become more serious injury because its been done at a professional level.

You can mitigate but never truly eradicate any kind of injuries in any specific sport football included

What happened yesterday to Jimenez was thankfully rare and the decision not to remove David Luis would not have been taken lightly

I think the timing of the incident, the recent emphasis on Dementia and the horrific crash in F1 have provided a lot of air time on accidents injuries but, like in all of life's complicated mechanics, it has to be taken in context

Some will cry 'Stop!' loudly; most will say it's part and parcel of professional sort and one of the reasons those who participate get rather well paid

Notwithstading, I wish Raul Jimenez and Roman Grosjean speedy recoveries from their injures

I think it's ludicrous that David Luiz was allowed to carry on, Chris.

He had blood pouring from his head after a while. He clearly was feeling dazed afterwards and was not going into challenges (Luiz is known for always going into a challenge and picking up needless yellow and red cards).

He could easily have collapsed on the pitch while still playing.

I don't blame Mikel Arteta because he was simply following the advice of his medical staff.

Total irresponsible decision by the Arsenal medical staff.


As a wider issue, why on earth doesn't football have a concussion substitute? Other sports have one or an alternative.

Football is yet again way behind other sports and needs to live in the real world.

was he concussed ?

Isnt that the point though? If it was rugby he would have been off the pitch for a head injury assessment, with a temporary replacement brought on. He was allowed to carry on.
Football needs to catch up.

i hadnt seen the incident but my qustion was..... was he concussed ....seems he wasnt...

You can mitigate but never truly eradicate any kind of injuries in any specific sport football included

What happened yesterday to Jimenez was thankfully rare and the decision not to remove David Luis would not have been taken lightly

I think the timing of the incident, the recent emphasis on Dementia and the horrific crash in F1 have provided a lot of air time on accidents injuries but, like in all of life's complicated mechanics, it has to be taken in context

Some will cry 'Stop!' loudly; most will say it's part and parcel of professional sort and one of the reasons those who participate get rather well paid

Notwithstading, I wish Raul Jimenez and Roman Grosjean speedy recoveries from their injures

I think it's ludicrous that David Luiz was allowed to carry on, Chris.

He had blood pouring from his head after a while. He clearly was feeling dazed afterwards and was not going into challenges (Luiz is known for always going into a challenge and picking up needless yellow and red cards).

He could easily have collapsed on the pitch while still playing.

I don't blame Mikel Arteta because he was simply following the advice of his medical staff.

Total irresponsible decision by the Arsenal medical staff.


As a wider issue, why on earth doesn't football have a concussion substitute? Other sports have one or an alternative.

Football is yet again way behind other sports and needs to live in the real world.

was he concussed ?

Isnt that the point though? If it was rugby he would have been off the pitch for a head injury assessment, with a temporary replacement brought on. He was allowed to carry on.
Football needs to catch up.

i hadnt seen the incident but my qustion was..... was he concussed ....seems he wasnt...

He played on for 30 minutes with blood seeping through a bandage before being subbed at half time. Make of that what you will.

You can mitigate but never truly eradicate any kind of injuries in any specific sport football included

What happened yesterday to Jimenez was thankfully rare and the decision not to remove David Luis would not have been taken lightly

I think the timing of the incident, the recent emphasis on Dementia and the horrific crash in F1 have provided a lot of air time on accidents injuries but, like in all of life's complicated mechanics, it has to be taken in context

Some will cry 'Stop!' loudly; most will say it's part and parcel of professional sort and one of the reasons those who participate get rather well paid

Notwithstading, I wish Raul Jimenez and Roman Grosjean speedy recoveries from their injures

I think it's ludicrous that David Luiz was allowed to carry on, Chris.

He had blood pouring from his head after a while. He clearly was feeling dazed afterwards and was not going into challenges (Luiz is known for always going into a challenge and picking up needless yellow and red cards).

He could easily have collapsed on the pitch while still playing.

I don't blame Mikel Arteta because he was simply following the advice of his medical staff.

Total irresponsible decision by the Arsenal medical staff.


As a wider issue, why on earth doesn't football have a concussion substitute? Other sports have one or an alternative.

Football is yet again way behind other sports and needs to live in the real world.

was he concussed ?

Isnt that the point though? If it was rugby he would have been off the pitch for a head injury assessment, with a temporary replacement brought on. He was allowed to carry on.
Football needs to catch up.

This post is spot on HIA'S need to be in all sports,where collisions are part and parcel of that sport.

Thats fair enough but football at grass roots level doesn't have the people to make such an assesment. A clash of heads is a clash of heads and it doesn't become more serious injury because its been done at a professional level.

Sorry,I was talking proffessional athletes,of course at grass roots,there isn't the luxury of having a specialist available, and wasn't suggesting any injury was not as serious as another.