Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if she will hold discussions with the International Football Association Board on the potential merits of introducing temporary concussion substitution protocols.

The laws of the game of football are a matter for The International Football Association Board (IFAB), as the independent body authorised to decide and agree changes to such laws within the sport. It is for the IFAB to consider the potential merits of introducing new laws for discussion in conjunction with The Football Association and other members of the IFAB as appropriate.

The safety and wellbeing of everyone taking part in sport is absolutely paramount and the Government expects sports to do all they can to protect their players. Our Command Paper on Concussion in Sport published in December 2021 outlines the steps the Government is taking to help reduce risks associated with head injuries by improving understanding, awareness, prevention and treatment of concussion in sport.