Suspected concussion but the player says they are fine

I would treat this as a concussion concern, not a debate about whether the player feels okay. Current FA guidance still uses the principle: if in doubt, sit them out. The coach’s immediate job is to remove the player from football and follow the current concussion process. It is not to diagnose the injury or be persuaded by the child wanting to continue. This is why the club should make the process clear to coaches and parents before the incident happens. In the moment, everybody is emotional and the player may be desperate to get back on. I would make sure coaches know where the current England Football concussion guidance is, who records the incident and what information is given to the parent/carer. Return to football should then follow the current medical/concussion guidance rather than a touchline judgement. When there is doubt about a head injury, the football can wait.