The Premier League have released a statement confirming the permanent introduction of concussion substitutes.
Attention over the need for further substitutes in games was emphasised after a number of high-profile incidents, and now the governing body have agreed that each team will be allowed to make two changes per game in the event one of their players suffers, or is suspected of suffering, a concussion.
These will be in addition to the three substitutions that clubs are already allowed to make in each Premier League game.
It means Manchester United and Man City will no longer need to use up one of their three permitted subs if a player suffers a head injury.
One of the most recent incidents involved Wolves striker Raul Jimenez, where he was taken to hospital following a clash of heads with Arsenal’s David Luiz in November, and later need surgery after being diagnosed with a fractured skull.
“Premier League Shareholders today formally agreed to introduce the International Football Association Board's (IFAB) additional permanent concussion substitutions trial,” the statement read.
“The trial will be confirmed when the implementation of the reporting processes, including private medical information, has been resolved with IFAB and FIFA.
“With player welfare the Premier League's priority, the protocols will allow a maximum of two concussion substitutes to be used per team, with the opposition side able to use the equivalent number.
“The additional concussion substitutions may be made regardless of the number of substitutions a team have made already.
“The trial is a result of the IFAB's consultation with stakeholders and recommendations from their concussion expert group to allow additional substitutions for players with actual or suspected concussion.”
