FIFA doctor says PL should introduce three-minute medical timeouts for concussion

Head of FIFA's medical committee Dr. Michel D'Hooghe has said that English football should introduce a medical examination of up to three minutes for players with suspected concussion.

The Premier League and the Football Association (FA) brought in new rules on suspected concussions this season. Players must leave the pitch and the final decision on whether they continue rests solely with the team doctor.

UEFA adopted a mandatory three-minute examination this month and the rule has already been introduced in all Champions League and Europa League matches after it was proposed by D'Hooghe at the start of September, The BBC reported.

D'Hooghe is now also urging all national associations to insist on the game being stopped for up to three minutes. He said that they have no authority in competitions on a national level, adding that the same is for UEFA.

D'Hooghe said that they can judge for the Champions League and Europa League and for the Euro 2016 and 2020 finals and qualification, adding that he would be very grateful if this would go down to all the 209 national associations of FIFA.