Recent issues with concussion have left the English Premier League board to come up with specific rules in improving the value they place on the lives of players involved.
The latest of this case occurred at the just concluded world cup final between Argentina and Germany where Kramer, had concussion and even lost memory of the first half in which he played the first 20 minutes.
There have been cases where some players will refuse to get substituted just because they want to remain in the game at the expense of their health and this among many other reasons prompted the board in coming up with new rules.
The English Premier League website disclosed yesterday that a team was set up to handle the issue and their recommendations have already been addressed by Premier League clubs who agreed to new rules and policies being introduced for the 2014/15 Barclays Premier League season;
• Premier League Rules making clear that when a serious head injury is suffered on the pitch (in matches or training) that the ruling of the doctor/medical practitioner is final.
• The role of “Tunnel Doctors” (it is a new requirement for all Premier League matches to include a Tunnel Doctor) will include supporting the home and/or away team doctors in helping recognise the signs of concussion.
• Making it mandatory for all Premier League medical staff to carry the Concussion Recognition Tool.
• Annual baseline testing should take place on each Premier League player.
Premier League Director of Football, Mike Foster added: “Player safety is paramount in all sports and the Premier League has a strong track record of introducing new medical rules and provisions as top-level football has evolved and new challenges emerged”.
In the same vein, Gary O’Driscoll said: “With regard to head injuries there has been a perception in the past that you can tough it out, you can play on, you can be brave”.
“What we found from the Working Group process is that in order to inform and educate people, and to manage this as effectively as possible, you need to make sure that everybody is aware of concussion, that everybody understands that it is just as significant as any other injury and that appropriate management is critical.
“For that reason we wanted to make sure that the players, the managers, the coaches, the medical teams, the media and the parents, everybody is aware that although it’s fortunately a very rare injury, it’s something that must be managed appropriately and safely.
“That’s the reason we have come up with recommendations, and new rules at Premier League level, and are supporting the wider game to get the message out there.”
