April 21 – The global players’ union FIFPro has warned of a massive rise in the number of players reporting symptoms of depression or anxiety since the sport was brought to a shuddering halt by Covid-19.
The figures have doubled since football was shut down amid significant concerns about when their profession will resume.
FIFPro said that 22% of women players and 13% of men who took part in a survey reported symptoms “consistent with a diagnosis of depression” such as lack of interest, lack of appetite, lack of energy and self-esteem.
This compared to 11% and 6% respectively in a similar survey conducted in December and January.
“In football, suddenly young men and women athletes are having to cope with social isolation, a suspension of their working lives and doubts about their future,” said FIFPro’s chief medical officer Vincent Gouttebarge.
“It is a time of huge uncertainty for the players and their families due to the insecurity of their future and the social isolation.”
FIFPro said that the survey, conducted with the Amsterdam University Medical Centre, included 1,134 male players, with a mean age of 26, and 468 female players, with a mean age of 23, in 16 countries.
The body’s general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann insisted his organisation was not trying to make a special case for footballers who have been cut off from their teammates for several weeks.
“We are very conscious that this is a reflection of a problem in broader society and there is no suggestion that it is more severe for our members,” said Baer-Hoffmann.
“Footballers are more similar to average society than most people think, and that is simply because of the misconceptions about how players live.”
“The average contract length is under two years and the average income is close to that of the general public,” he said. “Many are incredibly dependent on their footballing skills and are not prepared for what would come after.”
With clubs focusing on keeping players fit amid worrying levels of cost cutting, especially in less affluent leagues, FIFPro is urging them not to neglect mental health.
“If a club has to decide between having a second or third right back or a clinical psychologist within the medical team, you know which choice you are going to make, so it’s a kind of priority,” Gouttebarge told The Associated Press.
“Within the medical staff at any club, we know that the physical health of players is a main priority. But now we have enough objective data that show that mental health is as important as the physical health.”
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