Major League Soccer teams will have two extra substitutions starting next season, in case a player suffers a concussion
, this after US Soccer announced that it will be part of the FIFA pilot program to prevent the players return to the field in case of suffering a severe blow to the head.
Continuing its efforts as a leader in player safety, US Soccer will implement concussion substitutions in 2021.
The new rule allows teams to make two concussion substitutes to replace players with head injuries, regardless of the number of substitutions already used.
- US Soccer (@ussoccer) April 5, 2021
Through a statement, the MLS, as well as US Soccer announced that they would join the pilot test previously approved by FIFA and by the International Football Association Board (IFAB), which
will be in force until August 2022, so teams can make a couple of extra modifications
in the event of a concussion.
“Starting in 2021,
Major League Soccer teams will be able to make up to two concussion substitutes during a game to replace players who experience a concussion or
suspected concussion, regardless of the number of substitutions already made. used, ”the statement read.
The MLS will be, together with NWSL, USL and NISA,
one of the first leagues to approve extra substitutions in case of concussion,
after this protocol was tested in the last Club World Cup and during the last edition of the SheBelieves Cup, held last February in Orlando, Florida.
“Adoption of this new rule is an important step as we continue to lead the way in player safety.
It was essential to unite as a sport with our professional leagues and proceed in this pilot program, prioritizing the well-being of our players above all else,
”commented Dr. George Chiampas, US Soccer Medical Director.
In the event that a team requires the extra change due to concussion,
the opposing team will receive the possibility of submitting an extra substitution at the five
already available and that will be in effect during the matches of the 2021 MLS season, while Each club's staff will be in charge of designating the exchange rate used in the event of a commotion.
MLS will be a pioneer worldwide
Major League Soccer will be the first league to implement the concussion protocol
, which will allow a couple of extra modifications to be made during the 2021 season matches, in which each team will have the five changes in three windows, as as has happened since the modification of the rule due to the coronavirus pandemic.
If a team makes use of the extra substitution, the opposing team will receive one more change, only in case they have already made their five normal changes
and in case a second substitution is made due to concussion, the opponent may also substitute a player plus.