Monday 25 July 2016 23:21, UK
The NFL has announced much stricter punishments for breaches of the league's concussion protocols.
Teams face being fined heavily and perhaps even forfeiting draft picks should they be found not to have followed the rules in regards to potential brain injuries.
A first violation will require the club's employees, or medical team members involved, to attend remedial education along with a possible maximum fine of $150,000 (£114,000) levied against the club.
Subsequent violations will result in a minimum $100,000 (£76,000) fine with any violation found to have been made due to competitive considerations requiring forfeiture of unspecified draft pick(s) as well as an even heavier fine.
The NFL has acted after criticism over an injury suffered by St Louis Rams quarterback Case Keenum last season.
Keenum sustained a head injury on the field and struggled to get up off the turf after his head hit the ground, but he was allowed to remain in the game and later gave up a fumble that cost his team victory.
After the incident, the league said it would review why Keenum was not taken off the field for evaluation by a team doctor or an independent neuro-trauma physician, both requirements of the concussion protocols.
