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World Cup Players’ Head Injuries Spark Change In Uefa Rules

For those who watched the World Cup this year, perhaps two harrowing incidents standout, aside from England being knocked out that is!


United Kingdom – WEBWIRE

We’re fully supportive of the new rules in football. It is certainly a step in the right direction to get head injuries in football recognised as serious injuries. The message is clear; if in doubt, sit it out.

For those who watched the World Cup this year, perhaps two harrowing incidents standout, aside from England being knocked out that is!

Uruguay’s Alvaro Pereira and Germany’s Christoph Kramer suffered what can only be described as sickening head injuries during high profile games in Brazil. In two separate games, both Pereira and Kramer were knocked unconscious after colliding with other players, yet were allowed to play on.

Alvaro Pereira was knocked out during Uruguay’s game against England and Germany’s Christoph Kramer collided with another player during his country’s game against Argentina. Pereira was allowed to play on despite doctors and Uruguay’s manager calling for him to leave the pitch. Kramer was also allowed to continue playing even though he was noticeably hurt and was seen stumbling after the ball.

The fact that both players were allowed to continue after suffering head injuries garnered severe criticism from FIFPro, the World Players’ Union, who called for the rules to be changed regarding players with suspected head injuries.
Uefa has listened and in September bought in new rules to help safeguard players who suffer head injuries during a game.

Effective as of September 2014 referees will now be able to stop play for up to three minutes if a player has suffered a head injury. Players can now be temporarily substituted to allow doctors to assess their wellbeing. The team doctor, and not team management, will then have the final say as to whether that player is fit to continue.

Until now players have rarely been taken off after head injuries and are encouraged to play on by management, however these new rules will hopefully encourage players and coaches at all levels to take head injuries seriously.

Fortunately, both teams had doctors on standby and both Pereira and Kramer have made a full recovery, but not everyone has a medical team at their disposal.

Freeclaim are hoping Uefa’s ruling will trickle down through all levels of football, from grass roots to games in the playground. As head injuries, especially concussions, are progressive injuries, symptoms can sometimes be delayed.

The effects of a head injury can be devastating, but if a player is unaware of the severity of their injury and they choose to play on after a collision or accident on the pitch, the consequences can be extremely severe.

Philip Coulthurst, Head of the Serious Injury Department at Freeclaim Solicitors welcomes these changes. “We’re fully supportive of the new rules in football. It is certainly a step in the right direction to get head injuries in football recognised as serious injuries. The message is clear; if in doubt, sit it out.”

As well as this, we are also members of the Headway Panel (a directory of brain injury solicitors experienced in handling brain injury claims), showing expertise in serious head injury claims.

If you, or a loved one, have sustained a head injury whilst playing football, rugby or in any other sport, we have Freeclaim Solicitors have specialist serious injury lawyers who can deal with these complex cases. They have membership of the Headway Panel (a directory of brain injury solicitors experienced in handling brain injury claims) and are recommended by the Legal 500.

Call today on 0800 612 7340 to speak to a serious injury lawyer or visit http://www.freeclaim.co.uk/serious-injury-compensation/. All our enquires are free with no obligation.


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