If football were to be invented today, there is absolutely no way that heading the ball would be incorporated. The risk of concussion is too great.
Last night’s clash between David Luiz and Raul Jiminez in the Premier League will only highlight the sport’s safety problem.
It’s something which has received some attention in recent years, although not enough. As more and more retired players are diagnosed with dementia, it’s clear that heading the ball is too dangerous.
In the NFL, they wear helmets. Even that league scrambles year after year, changing protocol to ensure player safety.
The sickening thud which left Luiz with a head wound and Jiminez unconscious and on his way to hospital last night has to open up the conversation about the Premier League’s concussion protocol.
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As it stands, when there is a head injury the referee stops the play. The physios come on to assess the injured player.
Currently, they make sure the player hasn’t lost consciousness and ask him if he feels okay. When your safety protocol involves asking the person who has sustained a head injury what he thinks, something is wrong.
David Luiz played out the rest of the first half with a bandaged, bloody head before being taken off at half time.
A head injury substitution would be a good starting point. This way, player safety would be ensured and managers would not lose a substitution.
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As it is, players probably feel honour bound to continue because either the sub isn’t ready, or the coach will lose a substitution.
English football also still suffers from the attitude that playing through pain and risking your health is laudable.
Thankfully, Raul Jiminez regained consciousness in hospital. However, the Premier League can no longer hide from the fact that players’ health is at risk.
