Referee Concussed in Player Brawl Returned to Pitch Before Withdrawal at Half-Time

Referee Mathilde Demoncay, 26, was concussed when knocked down breaking up a 40th-minute player melee during Metz's July 25 friendly against Fortuna Sittard in Forbach, France. She returned to officiate before being withdrawn at half-time. Football's concussion protocols, expanded under 2023 IFAB guidelines, cover players — not match officials. Whether governing bodies extend them remains open.