Football FIFA and WHO join forces in campaign against concussions

The body that governs world football is seeking to raise awareness of this situation affecting sports athletes.

“Suspicion and protection: a match is not worth taking risks” is the name of a new initiative by FIFA. The body that governs world football is running a concussion awareness campaign, created in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO).

The aim is to raise awareness of the dangers of these types of actions, which are head traumas and pose a risk to footballers.

The initiative has the support of players, coaches and team doctors from around the world and is the result of an extensive consultation process with brain health experts from FIFA Medicine and the WHO.

The campaign aims to improve recognition of the signs and symptoms of concussion among football players, coaches and medical staff, as well as the general public. As well as highlighting that symptoms can take up to 72 hours to appear, it offers advice on how to safely return to sport after a concussion has occurred or is suspected. The tailored material has been designed to raise awareness among national team stakeholders, professional clubs and leagues, as well as the grassroots and amateur football communities.

“Concussions are head injuries and should always be taken seriously. Everyone should be able to play football safely, anywhere. Knowing the symptoms of concussion, being aware of the risks and treating them appropriately will allow us to put player safety first,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, said: “Concussion is a public health problem in all categories of football and many other sports that requires greater awareness and action. That is why WHO is proud to partner with FIFA on the Suspect and Protect campaign to protect footballers around the world, young and old, from the risks of concussion.”

The campaign is structured around three main areas of action: inform, suspect and protect. The first is to ensure that everyone involved is aware that concussions are a traumatic brain injury and should be treated with caution. Everyone should be aware of the common symptoms of a concussion so they know when to seek urgent medical help.

The second concept is that anyone who has suffered a direct or indirect blow to the head, face, neck, or body should be evaluated for symptoms of a concussion. Symptoms can take up to 72 hours to appear. Symptoms may include headache or a feeling of “pressure,” nausea or vomiting, balance problems, dizziness or unsteadiness in the feet, distorted, blurred, or double vision, sensitivity to light or noise, memory problems (difficulty remembering the incident in which the injury occurred and what happened before or after), drowsiness, confusion, or lack of concentration, or sleep problems.

Finally, they emphasize that a person who presents one or more symptoms of concussion should leave the playing field immediately. You should consult a doctor as soon as possible, within 24 hours. The symptoms of a concussion can vary or evolve a few minutes, hours, days or even weeks after the traumatic incident. Depending on the symptoms, urgent medical assistance is required. The return of players to sporting activity must always be done under medical supervision. It is not worth taking risks for a game.

Source: Latercera

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