A new three-year project has been launched to address the alarming frequency of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in women's football.
Named "Project ACL", this collaborative project involves FIFPro, Leeds Beckett University, the Professional Footballers’ Association, and Nike, all contributing expertise and funding.
The research will concentrate on players in the Women's Super League in England, aiming to devise strategies for reducing ACL injuries, which statistically occur at a rate two to six times higher in women than in men.
Studies indicate that about two-thirds of ACL injuries in women's football happen without any physical contact.
The investigation will analyse various factors such as workload, training facilities, travel loads, environmental conditions, and the potential influence of female-specific football footwear.
Several high prolife players have suffered from ACL injuries in recent years, underlining the urgency of addressing this issue.
England captain Leah Williamson missed the 2023 Women's World Cup due to an ACL injury, while former Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas was sidelined from Euro 2022 for the same reason.
Recent ACL injuries have also affected players like Arsenal's Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema, as well as Chelsea's Sam Kerr.
