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.



Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr Part Ways with Coach Castro 

Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Fayah v Al-Nassr - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia - August 27, 2024 Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro reacts. (Reuters)
Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Fayah v Al-Nassr - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia - August 27, 2024 Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro reacts. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr Part Ways with Coach Castro 

Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Fayah v Al-Nassr - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia - August 27, 2024 Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro reacts. (Reuters)
Football - Saudi Pro League - Al-Fayah v Al-Nassr - King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia - August 27, 2024 Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro reacts. (Reuters)

Cristiano Ronaldo's Saudi club Al-Nassr announced the departure of Portuguese coach Luis Castro on Tuesday, a day after starting their AFC Champions League Elite campaign with a disappointing draw.

Monday's 1-1 stalemate with Iraq's Al-Shorta in the Asian competition compounded a slow start to the domestic season with the current contract of Ronaldo, 39, due to expire next summer.

"Al-Nassr can announce that head coach Luis Castro has left the club," said a statement posted on X.

"Everyone at Al-Nassr would like to thank Luis and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 14 months, wishing them the best of luck for the future."

Castro, 63, is the third coach to depart Al-Nassr since Ronaldo's groundbreaking arrival in early 2023.

Frenchman Rudi Garcia quickly left that April, followed by a brief stint by Croatian coach Dinko Jelicic before Castro was appointed in July last year.

Al-Nassr, who finished a distant second in the last Saudi Pro League season, have drawn twice in three matches at the start of the new campaign.