BTN News: Uruguay’s match against the United States in the third round of the Copa América turned into a difficult situation for the Celeste, despite being virtually guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals. The complication arose when Maximiliano Araújo had to leave the game due to an injury.
Early Exit for Araújo Due to Injury
Maximiliano Araújo, a forward playing for Toluca, was forced to exit the field just 26 minutes into the match. He was taken off on a stretcher with a neck brace after a severe head injury following a collision involving Ronald Araujo and Tim Ream during an aerial challenge. Cristian Olivera came in as his replacement.
The Unique Case of the Pink Card
Araújo’s departure was unique as it did not count against the team’s five allotted substitutions. Instead, a newly introduced “pink card” was used. This card comes into play under specific circumstances related to head injuries.
Concussion Substitution Rules
On March 2, 2024, during the 138th Annual General Meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB), permanent additional substitutions for concussions were approved. These rules, part of Law 3 in the 2024/25 Laws of the Game, took effect from July 1, 2024. Competitions starting before this date could implement the protocol earlier, as seen when Jefferson Brenes of Costa Rica was replaced against Brazil.
Recently, CONMEBOL announced the adoption of this rule for the Copa América. This new regulation allows an extra substitution if a player is suspected of having a concussion. The referee or fourth official is informed, and a pink card is issued to the fourth official or match delegate. The card is not shown to the players or the public.
This measure aims to prioritize player health and is independent of the standard five substitutions. The team’s doctor must submit a standardized form to the CONMEBOL Medical Commission within 24 hours after the match to evaluate the situation.
Ensuring Player Safety
FIFA emphasizes that in cases of doubt, it is better to replace the player to prevent a second concussion, which could have serious health implications. This rule also reduces pressure on medical staff, allowing more time to assess the player.
A similar rule was trialed during the Qatar 2022 World Cup final. In that match, Adrien Rabiot was replaced following a head injury, with France making seven substitutions as the game went into extra time, while Argentina made six changes.
This new concussion substitution rule underscores the evolving focus on player safety in football, ensuring health takes precedence during competitive play.
