Added concussion substitutions for Copa America under the pink substitution pass system

LUQUE, Paraguay – Coaches at next month’s Copa America will be able to make a 6th and extra substitution in case of suspected head trauma or concussion.

South American football’s governing body CONMEBOL announced the decision on Tuesday, making it valid for all its competitions once the Copa America starts in the United States on June 20.

CONMEBOL has issued a statement saying that coaches must inform the referee or the 4th match official of the concussion substitution via a pink substitution pass. A similar method was implemented in Major League Soccer in 2021 as part of a FIFA pilot program.

The player who leaves the field under these circumstances will have to go to the changing rooms or a hospital for assessment.

“The replacement for concussion will take place regardless of the number of replacements until it happens,” CONMEBOL said. “When the concussion occurs, the opponent may automatically make an additional substitution.”

Team doctors who detect suspected concussion or head trauma on the field will have up to 24 hours to send a medical report to CONMEBOL, the South American body said.

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