Howe leads pleas after football lawmakers reject concussion substitutes trial

05 March 2023 , 15:37

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Fabian Schar suffered concussion in the Carabao Cup final (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Eddie Howe warned the “welfare of the players is paramount” after football’s lawmakers rejected pleas for a temporary concussion substitutes trial.

The Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association wrote to the International Football Association Board ahead of its conference in London this weekend asking for temporary subs to be allowed. But the IFAB decided to continue with permanent substitutes despite pleas from players, managers and other sports using temporary substitutes.

Newcastle boss Howe also insisted he would “welcome” temporary changes in the wake of his defender Fabian Schar suffering concussion in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley last weekend. Schar completed the game but, after undergoing checks after the match, sat out Newcastle’s defeat at Manchester City on Saturday.

Clubs argue that temporary subs would allow players to get checked properly as there would be less pressure on doctors to make an instant decision, leading to more safety for players. Howe told the BBC of Schar: “We did a series of tests. I’m not 100 per cent sure on all the facts and how it works, but he did a series of tests with our doctor and we were aware he wouldn’t play.

“I think I’d welcome it [temporary concussion substitutes] because it’s all about the welfare of the players. Now, I was a player that suffered from concussion several times because as a centre-half, I was on the small side. I was always around an elbow or a head and I think the safety of the players is paramount.”

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Eddie Howe recalled being concussed on multiple occasions during his playing days (Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, reacting to his side’s 2-0 loss at the Etihad Stadium, during which Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva scored in either half, Howe said: “There are things for us to reflect on, minimal chances for them [City] today. I thought we kept them relatively quiet. They’re a world-class team, so they're always going to have chances, but I thought we minimised their threat.

“The general performances have been very good [in defeats to Liverpool, Manchester United and City]. When we came here last year, the result was difficult and you could see the real gap between the teams. I don’t think that's been there this season. There is still growth for us to get closer to Manchester City.”

John Cross