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Be aware

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Suspect

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Protect

NO MATCH IS WORTH THE RISK

Symptom 1 - Headache or pressure

Symptom 2 - Nausea or vomiting

Symptom 3 - Problems with balance, dizziness or being unsteady

Symptom 4 - Distorted, blurry or double vision

Symptom 5 - Sensitivity to light and/or noise

Symptom 6 - Memory problems

Symptom 7 - Feeling drowsy, confused or unable to focus

Symptom 8 - Sleep problems

Know the signs

Concussion: Suspect and Protect

Incorrect. Concussion is a brain injury. Any rapid movement of the brain can cause a concussion. In football, this could be caused by a blow to the head, a fall to the ground, a mid-air collision or a 'body check' during a match.

Well done! Concussion is a brain injury. Any rapid movement of the brain can cause a concussion. In football, this could be caused by a blow to the head, a fall to the ground, a mid-air collision or a 'body check' during a match.

That’s right! It might surprise you to hear that only 10% of people who suffer concussion lose consciousness. There are several signs and symptoms to show that a player may be concussed. Losing consciousness is only one of them.

Incorrect. Only 10% of people who suffer concussion lose consciousness. There are several signs and symptoms to show that a player may be concussed. Losing consciousness is only one of them.

Incorrect:  Suspect and protect . A player who may have a suspected concussion will not be able to assess themselves. They may say they feel confident and able to continue, but it is the coach and team doctor’s responsibility to keep them safe. The player should be removed from training or the match, should not return the same day and should immediately be reviewed by a healthcare professional.

That’s right!  Suspect and protect.  A player who may have a suspected concussion will not be able to assess themselves. They may think they're OK – but it's your job to keep them safe. If you aren’t sure whether it’s a concussion or not, you must remove the player immediately for the rest of the session. They should then be inactive for the rest of the day, supervised, and be seen by a healthcare professional.

Incorrect. It is not anatomically possible to swallow your tongue, unless bitten off. For the safety of everyone, please do not put your fingers in a player’s mouth or move their neck if they are unconscious.

That’s correct. It might surprise you to learn that it is not anatomically possible to swallow your tongue, unless bitten off. For the safety of everyone, please do not put your fingers in a player’s mouth or move their neck if they are unconscious.

That’s right! Any of these symptoms or warning signs can be enough to suspect a concussion, not just one. Headaches  Dizziness  Memory problems  Vision problems  Difficulty with focusing on tasks or concentrating  Feeling ‘fuzzy’ in the head Loss of consciousness Sensitivity to light or noise

Great knowledge! Don’t forget – just one of any of these symptoms or warning signs can be enough to suspect a concussion. Learn the signs with our online resources and get more information from the FIFA Return to Play Guidelines.   Headaches  Dizziness  Memory problems  Vision problems  Difficulty with focusing on tasks or concentrating  Feeling ‘fuzzy’ in the head  Loss of consciousness  Sensitivity to light or noise

Take the quiz!

Flamengo and former Brazil defender

David Luiz of Flamengo talks to the media during a press conference ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2022

David Luiz

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Mexico's defender #15 Cristina Ferral (R) and Colombia's midfielder #15 Manuela Pavi collide during MexTour 2024 Women's International Friendly football match

Signs and symptoms

FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship Thailand 2004

What to do if you suspect a concussion?

Monterrey v Liverpool FC - FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019

Toolkit

Mayra Ramirez #9 of Team Colombia leaves the pitch with a injury during the Women's group A match

Return to play guidelines

Concussion preview image (no logos)

Suspect and Protect: Common questions about concussion

Find out more

YOUR BRAIN HEALTH IS NON-NEGOTIABLE

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Bay FC and Zambia forward

Racheal Kundananji of Zambia scores her team's third goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group C

Racheal Kundananji

Home of FIFA, Zurich

Brazil v Italy: FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025

FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024

FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Team Workshop: Concussion Education 

Concussion: Suspect and Protect Member Association toolkits being distributed at UEFA Medical Symposium

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Suspect and Protect in pictures

Paraguay secured their place in football history as they were crowned the first-ever champions of the FIFA Youth Series, following a 3-0 victory over New Zealand in the final match of the inaugural tournament. 

Paraguay secure inaugural FIFA Youth Series title during World Football Week

Paraguay celebrate winning the FIFA Youth Series 2025

FIFA’s landmark Concussion: Suspect and Protect awareness campaign, developed in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), has reached an estimated 835m people, engaged 482,700 online and driven 2,070 toolkit downloads, and it continues to grow

FIFA marks World Head Injury Awareness Day with landmark six-month results for Concussion: Suspect and Protect campaign

We take a look at the extraordinary work that FIFA's member associations have been doing in recent weeks to promote, strengthen and make football truly global.

FIFA Member Associations in focus (March 2025)

Coach educators take part in training

Luis Miguel Sánchez, better known as Luismi, plays for Málaga CF in Spain's Segunda División. Like all of his peers, the 32-year-old strives weekly to achieve his side’s objectives – in their case to build upon last season’s promotion to the second tie

Málaga midfielder Luismi: "If there's a blow to the head, the first thing to do is leave the match"

Luismi Sánchez during his presentation as new Málaga CF player playing with a headguard during a match with Málaga CF this season

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström has described the 139th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of The International Football Association Board (The IFAB) as “very constructive and fruitful” following discussions in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

FIFA Secretary General attends “constructive” IFAB Annual General Meeting in Belfast

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström speaks during a press conference following the IFAB 139th Annual General Meeting

The decision to make permanent concussion substitutes part of the Laws of the Game, taken by The IFAB at its 138th Annual General Meeting, was based on extensive medical research and out of concern for the welfare of the players. 

FIFA hails IFAB decision on permanent concussion substitutes 

 FIFA Secretary General ad interim Mattias Grafström during the IFAB 138th Annual General Meeting (AGM) press conference

The IFAB approved several changes to and clarifications of the Laws of the Game relating to players in relation to permanent concussion substitutes, player equipment, fouls and misconduct, and penalty kicks during its 138th Annual General Meeting (AGM).

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