U.S. football moms missed their first shot at forcing FIFA to "change the rules to protect youths from concussion-related injuries," according to Peter Blumberg of BLOOMBERG. U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton in Oakland, Calif. said that she had "'grave concerns' about 'inconsistencies, contradictions and a lack of clarity' in the complaint against" FIFA and five U.S. organizing bodies. She that said she "may allow the lawyers to try again with an amended complaint." Parents and players who filed the case "sought a ban on heading the ball for those under the age of 14 and restrictions for participants under 17." They also "asked for medical personnel at every game and practice, as well as a rule requiring players who suffer concussions to show a doctor's order before they are allowed back on the field." FIFA lawyer Chris Boehning said during a three-hour hearing Wednesday that the int'l governing body "couldn’t change the rules of the game even if it wanted to" because they are set by the Int'l Football Association Board. He added that, while FIFA controls four of the board's eight seats, six votes are "required for any rule changes." Football parents' lawyer Steve Berman said that was "irrelevant." Berman: "The point of the case is that the entire world looks to FIFA for guidance on soccer." U.S. Soccer Federation lawyer Russell Sauer argued that governing bodies "shouldn’t be blamed for injuries to participants in inherently risky sports." He said that if they were, American "football would have to ban tackles and boxing would have to eliminate punches to the head." Sauer: "So what’s next? Do we need to reduce the speed of running in soccer?" (BLOOMBERG, 5/6).
