Manchester City midfielder Rodri suffered a season-ending knee injury in September (Getty Images)
A study by the Professional Footballers’ Association found that fear of injury is having an impact on players’ mental health.
The survey found that 68% of more than 1,000 male and female PFA members questioned last season believed this fear was having a major negative impact.
The discovery comes after Manchester City midfielder Rodri said before suffering a season-ending injury that players were “close” to going on strike due to increased workload.
Online abuse also negatively impacted the mental health of 28% of those surveyed.
Dr Michael Bennett, the PFA’s director of player welfare, said football was an “incredibly insecure career for many”, with players often on short-term contracts and “having little control over their future”. ” he said.
“Our findings highlight that ‘on-pitch’ concerns such as injuries and performance can and do impact on footballers’ mental health. ” Bennett said.
“This exercise is very important to us and allows us to see ‘the person’ behind the players. We always encourage players to choose to confide these concerns to us. I am.”
The PFA is part of two separate legal challenges to soccer governing body FIFA over a lack of consultation over fixtures.
City manager Josep Guardiola said any changes would have to be player-led, saying there was “no doubt” the schedule would be congested, after Rodri claimed his players were on the verge of going on strike. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca made similar comments.
A recent report said the “red line” for player welfare is a maximum of 50 to 60 games per season, depending on the player’s age. Rodri played 63 games in all competitions for club and country last season.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said the club is also considering giving players time off during the season to deal with match congestion.
Other concerns raised in the PFA survey included performance on the pitch (45%) and fear of being dropped (41%), while the main concern for ‘non-industry’ alcohol consumption (17%) and gambling (15%). Risk that may adversely affect the player’s health.
PFA has delivered 330 welfare interventions through club visits, including 60 direct referrals to treatment support, and 530 current and former PFA members have received mental health support from union partner Sport Chance Clinic. announced.