FIFA, WHO join hands to raise awareness on concussions—Symptoms, causes, and how to respond
In a powerful step toward player safety, FIFA and the World Health Organization (WHO) have joined forces to launch the Suspect and Protect: No Match is Worth the Risk campaign — an awareness initiative focused on concussions in football.
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The campaign, launched in line with FIFA's Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023-2027, was first announced at the IFAB AGM in March 2024 and is now being actively promoted during global events like the FIFA Club World Cup.
The goal is clear: raise awareness that a concussion is not just a bump on the head — it's a traumatic brain injury that can affect any player, anywhere on the field. The campaign has been welcome by players, coaches, and medical professionals across the globe.
The Suspect and Protect campaign includes educational materials, video toolkits, and infographics being distributed to all 211 FIFA Member Associations. These resources aim to ensure everyone involved — from professional athletes to grassroots players — can recognize the signs and respond effectively.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that temporarily affects brain function. It is usually caused by a direct impact to the head or a sudden jolt to the body that causes the brain to move within the skull.
Most concussions do not involve a loss of consciousness, making them harder to identify. The effects are typically short-term but can linger for days or even weeks.
Symptoms of a concussion
Concussion symptoms can be subtle and may not appear immediately. In fact, they can develop hours or even days after the initial injury. The most common early symptom is a headache, often accompanied by ringing in the ears, blurry vision, nausea, vomiting, and unusual fatigue or drowsiness.
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These physical signs are typically the first indicators that something is wrong.
Cognitive and behavioral symptoms are also important to recognize. A person with a concussion may feel confused, dazed, or mentally foggy. They might experience amnesia, particularly about the event that caused the injury. Dizziness or a sensation of 'seeing stars' can also occur, and while these signs may be hard for others to detect, they are a red flag for the person experiencing them.
Observers may notice external signs of concussion. These can include slurred speech, delayed responses to questions, a dazed or stunned appearance, and repetitive questioning or forgetfulness, such as asking the same thing multiple times.
Some symptoms of concussion are delayed and may appear 24 to 72 hours after the injury. These include difficulty concentrating, memory problems, irritability, mood swings, and increased sensitivity to light or sound.
Individuals may also experience sleep disturbances—either sleeping too much or struggling to sleep—and emotional changes, such as sadness or increased anxiety. Less common but still notable signs include a diminished sense of taste or smell.
What does a concussion feel like?
Most people report feeling "off" — like they're in a fog or can't think clearly. Along with the headache, it might feel like concentrating takes much more effort than usual.
Some describe it as being stunned or disconnected from what's happening around them.
What to do in case of a concussion?
If someone is suspected of having a concussion—whether during sports, at work, or in everyday life—they should immediately stop what they are doing and rest. Continuing physical or mental activity can worsen the injury.
It's essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if the symptoms seem mild. Only a qualified healthcare provider can properly assess the severity and guide treatment.
Rest is the cornerstone of recovery. This means taking a break from physically demanding tasks, as well as mentally taxing activities like reading, screen time, or loud environments. The brain needs time to heal, and pushing through symptoms can delay recovery or make them worse. As the person starts to feel better, activities can be reintroduced slowly and carefully, always watching for any return of symptoms.
If you notice the return of the symptoms it is important to take it seriously and rest. And until you are completely recovered, it is advised to refrain from any high-risk activity.
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