FIFA, WHO launch global campaign to raise concussion awareness in football

Published by [email protected] at September 18, 2024

Posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2024. 10:38 am CST.

Verdes’ Felix Martinez goes for ball against Benque United’s Peruvian goalkeeper José Sebastián Quincho Rivas on July 1, 2023 at Edmund Marshalleck Stadium – Photo Credit: Verdes FC

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: FIFA and the World Health Organization (WHO) have launched a global concussion awareness campaign titled “Suspect and Protect: No Match is Worth the Risk.” This initiative aims to highlight the risks of concussion and provide educational resources to everyone involved in football, from players to coaches and medical staff.

The campaign, part of FIFA’s Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023-2027, emphasizes that concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can affect any player on the pitch. Developed with input from FIFA Medical and WHO brain health experts, the campaign seeks to increase awareness of concussion signs and symptoms, which can take up to 72 hours to appear. The campaign also offers guidance on safe return-to-play protocols following a suspected or confirmed concussion.

Former Manchester United defender Raphael Varane, one of the most prominent voices on the issue, revealed that a concussion he suffered during the World Cup while playing for France and other incidents had “damaged his body.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino stressed the importance of player safety.

“Concussion is a brain injury and should always be taken seriously. Playing football should be something enjoyed safely, by everyone, everywhere,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.

“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.

“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 Organization.”

Port Layola’s Gilroy ‘Leng’ Thurton in the air against Progresso’s Horace Avila (7) at Marion Jones Sports Complex in Belize City on October 22, 2023 – Photo Credit: Progresso FC

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus echoed this sentiment, highlighting the public health implications of concussion in football and other sports.

“Concussion is a public health issue of concern at all levels of football, and many other sports, requiring greater levels of awareness and action,” Ghebreyesus said.

“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.”

The campaign will be disseminated globally through FIFA channels, with toolkits provided to the 211 FIFA Member Associations for national, regional, and local implementation. The initiative is built on three main action points: Be Aware, Suspect, and Protect, aiming to ensure that everyone involved in football understands the seriousness of concussion and takes appropriate action to safeguard players’ health.

The FIFA/WHO campaign says:

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 presenting with 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.

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