Soccer

World players’ union accuses Fifa of failing to protect players over concussion

High profile incidents at World Cup have highlighted need for protocol

Christoph Kramer of Germany lies dazed on the pitch during the World Cup final but got up and continued to play for a further 13 minutes before finally coming off. Photograph: EPA.
Christoph Kramer of Germany lies dazed on the pitch during the World Cup final but got up and continued to play for a further 13 minutes before finally coming off. Photograph: EPA.
Jamie Jackson
Mon Jul 14 2014 - 23:00

Fifpro, the world players' union, has accused Fifa of failing to protect players during the World Cup over its treatment of concussion and said football is in the dark ages regarding the issue. It warned of the potential for lawsuits worth hundreds of millions of dollars for those injured, following the final in which Germany's Christoph Kramer was allowed to play on after a blow to the head, before being replaced.

Fifpro claims the problem will become a “tidal wave that will engulf” the Champions League and the domestic leagues of Europe in the new season, citing the knock suffered by Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris when he collided with Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku in the Premier League in November. The goalkeeper played on after protesting to the club doctor.

Kramer suffered his injury in a collision with Argentina’s Ezequiel Garay in the 19th minute of Germany’s 1-0 win. The midfielder continued until the half-hour before being taken off.

Third incident

“I can’t remember that much from the game,” Kramer said. “I don’t know anything from the first half. I thought later that I went straight off after the incident. How I got to the changing rooms I do not know. The game, in my head, starts only in the second half.”

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This was the third incident at Brazil 2014 in which players continued despite taking a knock to the head. In Uruguay's 2-1 win over England, Alvaro Pereira described his injury as like the "lights going out" when Raheem Sterling's knee hit his head on 61 minutes. After arguing with the team physician, he was allowed to finish the game.

In Argentina's semi-final win over the Netherlands Javier Mascherano clashed heads with Georginio Wijnaldum but, again, finished the game.

Fifpro wants a protocol regarding concussion to become part of the rules and for Fifa to review the laws of the game to compensate a team if they go down to 10 men while a head injury is being assessed.

Andrew Orsatti, the Fifpro head of communications, said: "The World Cup, being the pinnacle of football, has now become a showcase for how not to handle head injuries. Clearly this World Cup has elevated this discussion to a level that can no longer be ignored and the facts are irrefutable." Guardian Service