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What does the report into how concussion is managed mean for sport?

UK Sport | | | By Newsdesk

Extensive changes to how concussion is managed, researched and reported have been proposed by a key parliamentary committee.

Here the PA news agency looks at the detail.

What has happened?

In March the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee began an inquiry into concussion and brain injury in sport, amid concern about a link between playing sport and longer-term neurological problems.

The committee published its recommendations on Thursday. The most eye-catching were a demand for the Health and Safety Executive to ensure stricter reporting of injuries within sport, and for the Government to help co-ordinate the introduction of a minimum UK-wide protocol for concussion in sport and the establishment of an independent, central research fund.

What else has it recommended?

UK Sport, which is chaired by Dame Katherine Grainger, pictured, has been asked to ensure sports in receipt of public funding are applying concussion protocols properly
UK Sport, which is chaired by Dame Katherine Grainger, has been asked to ensure sports in receipt of public funding are applying concussion protocols properly (PA)

The report said UK Sport should also pay for medical officers to attend major sporting events to make sure protocols are being followed and also to intervene in preventing an athlete from competing if they are deemed to be at risk.

What about grassroots sport?

The UK-wide concussion protocols should help to raise awareness among coaches and competitors alike, while the report also called for GPs and Accident and Emergency staff to be provided with regularly refreshed training on dealing with patients who present with brain injuries. It also called on NHS England to improve record-keeping in this area so that any history of head injury in a patient could be easily accessed.

How had we got to this point?

Sir Bobby Charlton's dementia diagnosis was confirmed last year, while four of his 1966 World Cup-winning team-mates have died with the condition
Sir Bobby Charlton’s dementia diagnosis was confirmed last year, while four of his 1966 World Cup-winning team-mates have died with the condition (Brian Lawless/PA)

Four members of England’s 1966 World Cup-winning team have died with dementia, while a fifth – Sir Bobby Charlton – was confirmed as living with the condition last year, again raising questions over whether concussion or repeated heading had played a part. Alongside controversy over football’s concussion protocols and against the backdrop of a legal action being launched on behalf of rugby players suffering from early onset dementia, the committee felt compelled to investigate.

Who came in for most criticism?

The PFA, and its former chief executive Gordon Taylor, should have publicly hounded the FA over how head injuries were handled
The PFA, and its former chief executive Gordon Taylor, should have publicly hounded the FA over how head injuries were handled, according to the report (PA)

The FA was criticised too, with the committee saying it should have taken a stronger and more sustained interest in the issue after Jeff Astle’s death due to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in 2002, the report said. The coroner at Astle’s inquest said his death was due to industrial disease, caused by the repeated heading of a football. The report said the PFA should have “publicly hounded” the FA to do more.

What have the authors said about the report?

Julian Knight is the chair of the DCMS committee which wrote the report
Julian Knight is the chair of the DCMS committee which wrote the report (PA)

What has the wider reaction been?

The family of Jeff Astle, pictured, have said the report has given them hope that change could be coming
The family of Jeff Astle have said the report has given them hope that change could be coming (PA)

She also welcomed the idea of concussion on a pitch being reported in the same way as any other workplace.

“Football is a sport enjoyed by millions of people around the world but to my dad it was just his job,” she told the PA news agency.

“He should be afforded the same protection from known risks as in any other job.”

FIELD study author Prof Stewart also supported the idea of common protocols across sport.

What happens next?

The committee will keep a close eye on whether its recommendations are acted upon. On HSE, Knight said: “HSE needs to understand that it’s in the spotlight and it needs to take action right now. If it doesn’t, then it’s as culpable as any of the sports governing bodies themselves.”

Other bodies such as the FA, the PFA and UK Sport have said they will review the report’s findings.

What does this mean for sport, should people be worried about playing?

The DCMS report underlined the huge health benefits from playing sport
The DCMS report underlined the huge health benefits from playing sport (PA)

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