GRASSROOTS sports players who suffer concussions should be sidelined for three weeks, new guidelines suggest.
All ages involved in sports from swimming lessons to village cricket, rugby and football are covered by the advice in If In Doubt, Sit Them Out.
The recommendations aim to prevent brain injuries.
Suspected sufferers must stop immediately and seek medical help from NHS 111.
They should not be left alone for the first 24 hours.
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They are told to rest for up to 48 hours, not to drive and to help their recovery by minimising use of phones and laptops.
The Government guidelines come in the wake of a £300million legal battle launched by 379 sportspeople.
A further 20 former footballers are said to be in the process of issuing claims.
But a legal source said: “These guidelines are confusing and at times contradictory, and they do not address the elite level of sport.”
The family of 1966 World Cup hero Nobby Stiles, among those seeking damages, said the guidelines ignored perils of heading a football repeatedly.
