The National league have to act fast on this one, certainly before the York and Rochdale game on Tuesday evening, or a whole new area of “gamesmanship” has come into being. Leaving aside the decisions on our 2 suspended games, the league have to give guidance to Referees and Clubs on the following:
1. When a player stays down injured. When should a referee stop the game?
2. Who makes the initial assessment of the injury? The injured players club physio or the Match Doctor
3. Who makes the decision to treat the player on the pitch? Who makes the decision to move them off?
4. Once the player is off the pitch, what are the expectations on the behaviour of the remaining players?
5. In what circumstances should a referee abandon a game?
What sanctions will be placed on clubs who fail to follow protocol?
Of course, having done this, the league will then have to draw up a protocol concerning spectators. Far to many games are interrupted because of “medical emergencies” in the crowd!
