Chinese Football Association introduces concussion substitution optimization plan: Immediate medical attention required, suspension for 6 calendar days starting from substitution date.

On April 21, 2026, the Chinese Professional Football League Federation issued the "Optimized Plan for Concussion Substitution for Professional Football League Participants (Trial)", applicable to the Chinese Super League, China League One, China League Two, Women's Super League, and Women's League One. The plan provides detailed rules concerning concussion substitution management, pre-match checks, medical reporting, and return-to-play protocols. Key provisions include: players substituted for concussion must receive immediate medical care, submit a formal hospital report within 48 hours, and are suspended for 6 calendar days from the substitution date. Normal return is permitted from the 12th day; early return between the 7th and 11th days requires meeting two conditions: missing one match (including league or cup games) and providing a medical recovery certificate from a top-tier hospital.

This plan will be implemented on a trial basis from its release date, with specific detailed requirements as follows:

1. For the 2026 season of Chinese professional football leagues (including the Chinese Super League, League One, League Two, Women's Super League, and Women's League One), the "Additional Concussion Substitution Operational Guidelines" will continue to be referenced, and the relevant clauses for "concussion substitution" must be strictly enforced.

2. During the pre-match coordination meeting, team representatives from both sides must confirm that all players participating in the match have no clear concussion or potential brain injury issues. If such issues exist, the player shall not participate in the match.

3. Players substituted via "concussion substitution" must go to a local hospital for medical attention immediately and submit a formal medical report issued by the hospital to the league organizer within 48 hours.

4. To effectively protect player health and prevent secondary injuries, players substituted via "concussion substitution" must strictly adhere to the following regulations when returning to professional competition:

(a) They shall not return to professional competition within 6 calendar days (including the day of substitution).

(b) From the 12th calendar day onward, they may return to professional competition normally.

(c) Between the 7th and 11th calendar days, if an early return to professional competition is needed, two conditions must be met simultaneously:

1. They have missed one match (including Chinese Super League, League One, League Two, Women's Super League, Women's League One, or men's/women's FA Cup matches).

2. They provide a medical report from a top-tier hospital clearly stating that the concussion has recovered and they are fit to compete.

On April 11, Shanghai Shenhua defeated Shanghai Port 1-0 in the first Shanghai derby of the year. In the 74th minute, the match was intensely competitive, with Shanghai Port trailing 0-1 to Shanghai Shenhua and having already used all three substitution opportunities. At that moment, substitute Yang Shiyuan suddenly fell while chasing back in the defensive area without any contact. The broadcast footage clearly recorded the entire process: in the first 30 seconds, Yang fell and tightly clutched his thigh, staggering—typical symptoms of a muscle strain in the leg. There was no head collision, aerial challenge, or opponent contact with the head throughout.

Within the next minute, Shanghai Port's medical staff quickly entered the field, and players gathered around Yang Shiyuan, communicating with him verbally and through gestures. His teammate Wei Zhen extended three fingers to the medical staff, seemingly asking if all three substitutions had been used; other teammates made gestures indicating "holding head, dizziness." Then, a dramatic scene unfolded: Yang Shiyuan moved his hands from his thigh to his head, signaling to the referee and medical staff that he felt discomfort in his head.

The Shanghai Port coaching staff immediately requested referee Li Haixin to activate the special concussion substitution rule. Referee Li Haixin, who witnessed the entire transformation of the injury, smiled helplessly and approved the substitution request. In the 77th minute, Fu Huan entered as a substitute, allowing Shanghai Port to maintain a full 11-player lineup and avoid the dire situation of playing with fewer players.