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Ex-FIFA referee can't believe new Premier League proposals as worrying Chelsea footage emerges
Keith Hackett has insisted he can’t see a way for IFAB and FIFA to reject proposals for temporary concussion substitutes in the Premier League as Chelsea star Denis Zakaria becomes the latest to suffer a worrying head injury.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee suggested the “elite league in the world” should “set the example” for other nations.
As seen on Amazon Prime Video (26:06, 27 December), Zakaria went down after hitting his head against a Bournemouth defender while defending a corner.
The Switzerland international was down for some time before he was looked over by the Chelsea medical staff, who saw fit to send him straight back on when play resumed.
The loanee midfielder, who was making his first Premier League start for the Blues, went on to play 82 minutes before being substituted.
According to The Guardian (21 December), the English top flight has written to football law-makers asking to trial temporary substitutes from next summer.
At present, players with suspected serious head injuries can only be substituted permanently – and another substitution made available to the affected side.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “This is the elite league in the world, and it has to set the example.
“It has to have that duty of care towards the players.
“There appears to be sufficient evidence that heading the ball stimulates ongoing problems.
“It’s good that they’ve asked to take this next step.
“I don’t think there’s any way out for IFAB and FIFA. They’ve got to accept.
“I think that we’ve got to have an approach similar to rugby. At the moment there is a pressure to get these players back on the pitch.
“There could be a Premier League-appointed doctor, and that person could make the final call on whether he’s reintroduced to the pitch.”
In other news, Football Insider updates on Newcastle United signing Chelsea star after offer made.