FIFA, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), launched the world’s biggest concussion awareness campaign named *Suspect and Protect: No Match is Worth the Risk. As the campaign says, this initiative is aimed at raising awareness regarding concussion and promoting safety education to all levels of football players in preventing traumatic brain injury. The Suspect and Protect campaign support FIFA’s *Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023–2027* and follows on from the IFAB AGM in March 2024 announcement.
The Suspect and Protect campaign focuses on the serious health risk of concussion for players on the pitch and has been welcomed by many players, coaches, and medical professionals around the world. The campaign, developed in close consultation with experts of FIFA Medical and WHO on brain health, aims to enhance the awareness of signs of concussion in players, coaches, medical staff, and the general public. It also advises on returns to play safely post suspected or confirmed concussion, noting that concussion signs may not manifest until 72 hours have passed.
For his part, FIFA President Gianni Infantino underlined that “Concussion is a brain injury and should always be taken seriously. By knowing the signs of concussion, being aware of the risks, and treating concussions correctly, we can put player safety first.” He also thanked FIFA’s member associations and the WHO for their cooperation in this very important initiative.
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also emphasized the value of the campaign, noting that concussion is a public health issue in sports other than football. “WHO is honored to cooperate with FIFA on the Suspect and Protect campaign in promoting means of protection for the brains of footballers, young and old, against concussion dangers,” said Dr Ghebreyesus.
The campaign will be disseminated around the world through FIFA’s channels, as toolkits will also be made available to the 211 FIFA Member Associations for further dissemination at national, regional, and local levels. The Suspect and Protect campaign is founded on three key action points:
Be Aware: Understanding that concussion is a serious brain injury and what to look for, is an essential step for players, coaches, and those responsible for players.
- Suspect: Any player that has sustained a direct or indirect blow must be assessed for signs of concussion and may appear up to 72 hours
- Protect: any player showing signs of concussion must leave the field of play immediately and should be assessed by a qualified medical professional within 24 hours
As the messages are distributed, the FIFA and WHO are trying to make football a much safer game for all players, therefore no match should ever be any riskier to be played.
Read More: Click Here
