The Premier League is considering introducing concussion substitutes and bringing back the five substitutes option during the 2020-21 season.
The IFAB, an organization responsible for setting the laws of soccer games, discussed the possibility of enabling clubs to temporarily substitute a player who is at high risk of getting a concussion.
PFA executive Gordon Taylor told Sky Sports, “We’ve made improvements in regulations, particularly with regard to concussion and head injuries. People know the dangers of taking part but that’s not to say we haven’t got to show a real duty of care. I think the concussion subs have also highlighted the issue that we can’t be too careful with head injuries and any consequent problems.”
Taylor also claimed that he expects the concussion substitutes rule to be introduced “sooner rather than later” in the Premier League.
Another football figure, Fulham manager Scott Parker expressed his support of the idea and claimed that “I do think concussion subs may take the pressure off the medical (staff) or the actual sportsmen in the heat of the arena of competition.”
Aside from the concussion substitutes rule, the five substitutions rule is also an option that is expected to be introduced in the Premier League.
Allowing five substitutes instead of three during a game in the Premier League is strongly supported by coaches like Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola.
Klopp recently claimed that “all the teams have to understand why it’s so helpful. It’s not an advantage, it’s a necessity. 100 percent. In all other countries, it happens and here we make a bit more fun of the competition by having only three subs. That is really incredible, so we have to talk again.”
Currently, other top five European Leagues like La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1 all implemented the five substitute options during the 2020/21 season.
