FIFA Teams Up with WHO on Global Concussion Campaign

epa11607453 Jordynn Dudley (R) of the USA vies for the ball with Vanessa Diehm of Germany during a FIFA U-20 women’s World Cup quarter final soccer match between the USA and Germany at Pascual Guerrero stadium in Cali, Colombia, 15 September 2024.  EPA/ERNESTO GUZMAN JR.
epa11607453 Jordynn Dudley (R) of the USA vies for the ball with Vanessa Diehm of Germany during a FIFA U-20 women’s World Cup quarter final soccer match between the USA and Germany at Pascual Guerrero stadium in Cali, Colombia, 15 September 2024. EPA/ERNESTO GUZMAN JR.
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FIFA Teams Up with WHO on Global Concussion Campaign

epa11607453 Jordynn Dudley (R) of the USA vies for the ball with Vanessa Diehm of Germany during a FIFA U-20 women’s World Cup quarter final soccer match between the USA and Germany at Pascual Guerrero stadium in Cali, Colombia, 15 September 2024.  EPA/ERNESTO GUZMAN JR.
epa11607453 Jordynn Dudley (R) of the USA vies for the ball with Vanessa Diehm of Germany during a FIFA U-20 women’s World Cup quarter final soccer match between the USA and Germany at Pascual Guerrero stadium in Cali, Colombia, 15 September 2024. EPA/ERNESTO GUZMAN JR.

Soccer's governing body FIFA and the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday launched a global concussion awareness initiative developed with brain health experts.
The 'Suspect and Protect: No Match is Worth the Risk' scheme aims to highlight the risks of traumatic brain injury and offer resources on the subject, they said in a joint statement.
"By knowing the signs of concussion, by being aware of the risks, and by treating a concussion correctly, you can help to put player safety first," said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved permanent concussion substitutes in March after a trial, with the rule implemented in this year's Copa America.
WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said concussion needed greater awareness at all levels of the game.
"WHO is proud to team up with FIFA... to promote ways to protect the brains of footballers," he added.



Norris Says he'll Drive with 'Elbows Out' to Compete with Verstappen this F1 Season

FILE - McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain stands on the podium after winning the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)
FILE - McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain stands on the podium after winning the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)
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Norris Says he'll Drive with 'Elbows Out' to Compete with Verstappen this F1 Season

FILE - McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain stands on the podium after winning the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)
FILE - McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain stands on the podium after winning the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Dec. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Darko Bandic, File)

Lando Norris has pledged to get tough and drive with his “elbows out” against Max Verstappen as the two prepare to resume their title rivalry in the new Formula 1 season.
Norris was Verstappen's closest challenger as the Dutch driver sealed his fourth consecutive F1 title last year, following hard-edged and controversial battles between the two on track.
“I need to get my elbows out (against Verstappen) and show I am not willing to give him any positions. I also have to be a smart driver. You have to be smart to go up against Max," Norris said Thursday as McLaren launched its 2025 car, The Associated Press reported.
Norris signaled he was looking to learn from costly mistakes in 2024 and said his reaction when he rewatched some of his own driving from last year was “what an idiot.”
“But at the same time, I don’t need to go out and prove something to (Verstappen)," Norris added. "I don’t need to take any unnecessary risks. I don’t think you have to do anything special to try and beat Max. He is quick, aggressive and one of the best ever but the easiest way of beating him is just by being quicker than him and staying ahead.”
McLaren was off the pace in the first part of last season before upgrading its car for the Miami Grand Prix in May. Norris said Verstappen's mentality and big lead had made it “very difficult” for him to compete but predicted the championship could look different this year if he and McLaren can get off to a better start.
Preseason testing is Feb. 26-28 in Bahrain and the first race of the season is the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 16.