Additional permanent concussion substitutions

Principles

Competitions choosing this option must apply the complete protocol. Each team may use one concussion replacement, separately from normal substitution and opportunity limits. The removed player cannot return, including in a shoot-out.

• When the named-substitute total equals the maximum normally usable, a previously substituted player may serve as the concussion replacement.
• The other team gains one additional substitute and one additional opportunity for any reason, usable immediately or later.

Procedure

A concussion replacement can follow the incident immediately, an on-field or off-field assessment, or later suspicion even after a player has returned following assessment. Notify the referee or fourth official, ideally with a differently coloured form. Where possible, accompany the removed player to the dressing room or a medical facility.

• A normal substitution made simultaneously still uses a normal opportunity.
• Neither a concussion opportunity nor the opponents’ extra opportunity allows an otherwise unavailable normal substitution.

Officials’ role

Officials support assessment and a decision that a player cannot continue, and may delay the restart to enable departure. They do not diagnose concussion or choose whether the team uses a normal or concussion replacement. Suspected misuse is reported to the relevant authority.