The South American Football Confederation (Conmebol) will implement during the America Cupwhich will be held between next June and July in the United States, a sixth player substitutionin addition to the five in force, in case of craniocerebral trauma and concussion.
The decision was announced this Tuesday in a statement by the Directorate of Competitions and Operations of Conmebol, an organization that has its headquarters in the Paraguayan city of Luque.
“It is an extra substitution before suspected head trauma and concussion. To do so, the main referee or the fourth referee must be informed, and a pink card will be used,” the note detailed.
The change in the regulations, which aims to “take care of the health of footballers”, will come into force from the beginning of the Copa América 2024.
The continental tournament, which will bring together 16 teams, will have its opening day on June 20 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and will conclude on July 14 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The new rule establishes that one change may be made per game “in case of suspicion of craniocerebral trauma and concussion, being independent of the 5 (five) substitutions” mentioned in the regulations.
Furthermore, it will be “regardless of the number of substitutions made up to the time it occurs.”
A player who suffers a concussion or is suspected of having suffered one “may not return to the match or participate in the penalty shootout,” the regulations stated.
The rule stipulates that the team doctor must send to the Conmebol medical commission, within a maximum period of 24 hours after the end of the commitment, a form standardized by that entity to evaluate cases of concussions.