[Saba Sports News] A leading expert has recently slammed FIFA’s concussion protocols, following an incident involving American defender Alex Freeman in his side’s 2-0 win over Australia. Late in the first half, Freeman collided heads with Australia’s Paul Okon-Engstler and collapsed to the ground, visibly unsteady on his feet after the impact. The United States’ medical staff conducted only a brief on-pitch assessment before clearing him to carry on playing. Minutes later in the 43rd minute, Freeman scored the USA’s second goal of the game, a strike that went through a lengthy VAR review. Chris Nowinski, neuroscientist, co-founder of Boston University’s CTE Center and CEO of the Concussion Legacy Foundation, criticised FIFA’s policy of permitting sideline concussion screenings, warning that it puts players at serious risk.
The editor believes that the lingering issue is that medics are forced to conduct rushed concussion assessments out on the pitch. FIFA’s stance puts players at risk, which means optimal medical evaluations and accurate diagnoses cannot be achieved when examining the most vital organ in the human body.