Newcastle United can make extra substitutions today as new concussion protocols come into force today.
The Premier League is the first competition in world football to trial concussion subs, which mean Newcastle United can make up to two concussion subs without them impacting any tactical changes they had planned from today.
It means, in theory, there could be five changes for the Magpies today if they were unlucky enough to have two players suffer head injuries. The change in rules was confirmed in January but comes into force today.
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.
The Premier League agreed the move last month.
“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.”
