The FIFA World Cup is a sporting achievement but a medical failure. FIFA caregivers have reportedly missed numerous concussions.
FIFA sports doctors have concerns. According to a team of Canadian neurosurgeons, they missed many cases of concussions during the 2014 World Cup, held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).
After reviewing all the matches in the competition, doctors at St Michael’s Hospital in Toronto (Canada) are clear: 72 collisions should have been carefully examined. This was not the case, they lament in the JAMA.
64 matches, 12 stadiums, 32 countries… By naming Brazil the host country of the 2014 World Cup, FIFA has seen the big picture. But the federation has not been so ambitious in terms of its medical practices. On paper, however, the rules were promising.
In accordance with international recommendations, FIFA has ordered the withdrawal from the field of any player showing signs of a concussion. Loss of consciousness, headaches or even slowed down reaction times were to alert. On the edge of the field, the doctors had to take over, and confirm or not the incident.
A forgotten half
Only, the medical team was not very rigorous in the facts. By re-viewing all of the matches, the neurosurgeons observed 72 collisions between two heads. This is far more than the 19 injuries reported by FIFA doctors during the competition. The German Christoph Kramer is undoubtedly the most eloquent example of this laxity.
Stunned by a shoulder blow in the final against Argentina, the defensive midfielder collapses. He did not leave the field until fifteen minutes later, haggard, supported by two healers. A few days later, he confesses to having forgotten the entirety of the first half and not to remember how he returned to the locker room. Despite the evidence of a concussion, he continued to play. Until victory. Examples of this type are unfortunately numerous and have aroused the anger of the union representing professional players.
A voluntary laxity
During the World Cup, almost all the shocks observed should have given rise to an evaluation on the sidelines. Of the affected players, 56% exhibited at least two signs of concussion, and 27% more than three. Only three athletes were withdrawn from the field.
In fact, only 12 footballers were taken to the edge of the pitch to see a healthcare professional. 45 others were examined in the field … by a team-mate, the referee or a caregiver. 21 simply weren’t seen, and went on without being worried.
More alarming: of the players who showed multiple signs of concussion, 11 were never examined. The conclusion of the neurosurgeons is not flattering for the FIFA sports staff. According to them, the doctors would have underreported the less obvious cases in order not to waste playing time.
In view of this failure, the Canadians propose the establishment of independent caregivers, and not paid by the federations, in order to avoid missing out on a concussion. Because delay in treating them can cause permanent damage.
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