Julius OkorieFédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Football Association Board (IFAB) are united in awareness campaign on Concussion.
The collaboration is aimed at making everyone know the signs and symptoms of suspected concussion and how to protect players and make the game of football safer and also avoid loss of lives associated with concussion.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe launch is in line with the Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023-2027 and following on from the announcement at The International Football Association Board (IFAB) AGM in March 2024. Dubbed Suspect and Protect, the campaign underscores that no Match is Worth the Risk.
The campaign aims to raise awareness of the fact that concussion is a traumatic brain injury and is a risk to every player on the pitch. It has been endorsed by players, coaches and team doctors from around the world.
Developed through extensive consultation with FIFA Medical and WHO brain health experts, the Suspect and Protect campaign aims to increase sign and symptom recognition among players, coaches and medical staff, as well as the general public.
The campaign highlights that symptoms may take up to 72 hours to appear and offers guidance on how to return to play safely following a suspected or confirmed concussion. These tailored resources are designed to empower national team stakeholders, professional clubs and leagues and grassroots and amateur communities.
Suspect and Protect will be delivered at a global level across FIFA channels, while toolkits are being distributed to the 211 FIFA Member Associations for delivery at a national, regional and local level.
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FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, believes being aware of the risks of concussion will help reduce its damaging effect.
“Concussion is a brain injury and should always be taken seriously. Playing football should be something enjoyed safely, by everyone, everywhere.”
“By knowing the signs of concussion, by being aware of the risks, and by treating a concussion correctly, you can help to put player safety first” said Infantino, adding “A big thank you to FIFA’s member associations for their efforts in launching with us and for following the advice provided by our colleagues at the World Health Organisation.”
On his part WHO Director-General,Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, underscored the importance of partnering with FIFA in fighting the scourge.
“Concussion is a public health issue of concern at all levels of football, and many other sports, requiring greater levels of awareness and action. That is why WHO is proud to team up with FIFA on the Suspect and Protect campaign to promote ways to protect the brains of footballers, young and old, around the world from the risks of concussion.” said Ghebreyesus
The campaign is built upon three main action points for audiences within national teams, professional clubs and leagues and amateur and grassroots communities.
What Everyone Is Expected To Know
Be Aware:
Whether a player, coach, team doctor, parent or carer, it is important to understand that concussion is a traumatic brain injury and should always be taken seriously. Everyone should know the common signs of concussion as well as when to seek urgent medical advice.
Suspect:
Anyone who sustains a direct or indirect impact to their head, face, neck or body, should be assessed for concussion symptoms. Symptoms may take up to 72 hours to present.
They include headache or ‘pressure’ sensation, nausea or vomiting, problems with balance, dizziness or being unsteady on feet, distorted/blurry or double vision, sensitivity to light and/or noise, memory problems (difficulty recalling the traumatic event, and/or events before or after), feeling drowsy, confused or unable to focus, sleep problems.
Protect:
Anyone showing one or more concussion symptoms should leave the pitch immediately. A doctor must be seen as soon as possible and within 24 hours. The symptoms of a concussion can change or evolve within the minutes, hours, days and even weeks after the traumatic event. Some symptoms require urgent medical attention. Players should follow medical guidance on return to play.
No match is worth the risk.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
