Concussion protocols 'there for players' protection' says Burnley boss Sean Dyche after Ben Mee scare

Mee was involved in a collision in the 3-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday, as Jordan Ayew's shoulder caught him in the temple, and he was stretchered off after treatment.

He had recovered sufficiently minutes later to walk back round the pitch and head for the dressing room, but under concussion protocols, he has to sit out six days, ruling him out of Wednesday night's home game with Fulham.

Protocol when boss Sean Dyche was playing was 14 days, but Mee - who has displayed no symptoms since - will be available within six.

Dyche explained: "The protocols are more of a safety protocol to make sure, so there is testing, like questioning, balance exercises and things like that, general welfare and fitness appropriate to whatever the doctor sees fit, then the actual game return is after six days.

"That's the scheduling for if you are literally concussed, even if it is for 20 seconds.

"It is as simple as it is, the rules are there to protect players and their welfare, so that's enough of a start point.

"No one wants any real serious moments in football.

"That side is pretty clear, the protocols are agreed and we get on with it.

"We're not going to overthink that.

"And let's face it, the days of 'just get on with it' have gone now, it's a case of, no, if you're medically unsure of yourself, you've got to step out.

"In some situations you could argue they could get on with it and are fine, because they are adults and can feed back on how they are feeling, but on the other hand it is there for their protection.

"I totally understand that."

Asked if he had shown any symptoms, Dyche added: "No, he's fine, we've just had to follow the protocols.

"From the two weeks, they've detailed that down, all the medics and scientists and specialists, I presume, have got more information, more ways of testing true concussion against moderate or nothing.

"They've come out with this protocol because it is important and safeguards the players, so that's good enough for me."

Burnley did not use a concussion substitution at Selhurst Park, with two now available in a trial until the end of the season, which means permanent substitutions can be made if a player suffers a head injury, even if all replacements have already been used, with the opposition also able to make a change at the same time.

"With player welfare the Premier League's priority, clubs agreed in principle to introduce additional permanent concussion substitutions following approval of the trial by the International Football Association Board yesterday," the Premier League said.

"The Premier League will look to implement protocols which will allow a maximum of two concussion substitutes to be used per team, with the opposition side able to use the equivalent number.

"The additional concussion substitutions may be made regardless of the number of substitutions a team has made already."

Concussion substitutes were set to be introduced at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics football tournaments before the Games were postponed due to coronavirus.

And diagnosis of head injuries has been well documented of late, with several members of England's 1966 World Cup-winning team diagnosed with dementia, including Nobby Stiles and Jack Charlton, who both died last year,while Sir Bobby Charlton's family revealed he has also been diagnosed with the disease.

Closer to home, six of Burnley's 1960 First Division title-winning side have passed away after being diagnosed with dementia, while in 2015, Jimmy Robson was diagnosed.

Dyche recently spoke about the focus on dementia in the game https://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/football/burnley-boss-sean-dyche-pleased-see-focus-dementia-football-3041604