ZCZC
BSP-11
HEALTH-VIRUS-FBL
Report highlights growing concern of depression among footballers
PARIS, April 20, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Increasing numbers of
professional footballers are struggling with anxiety and depression
having been forced out of action with the sport suspended due to the
coronavirus pandemic, according to a report by global players’ union
FIFPro released on Monday.
FIFPro surveyed 1,602 players across 16 countries, including
England, Scotland, France, Australia and the United States, with 468
female players featured in the study.
It found that 13 percent of male players surveyed, and 22 percent of
female players, reported symptoms of depression. Close to one in five
of both male and female players reported symptoms of anxiety.
“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 Vincent Gouttebarge, a French former
player who is FIFPro’s chief medical officer.
While many countries have gone into strict lockdowns in attempts to
slow the spread of Covid-19, Gouttebarge pointed out that many
professional footballers live in foreign countries without family, and
in many cases suffer added anxiety because of being on short-term
contracts.
The FIFPro survey follows an identical study undertaken in December
and January which found that the percentage of players reporting
symptoms of depression were much lower — just 11 percent among
females and six percent among males — although it involved only 307
players.
“In us performing the study and publishing these results we are very
conscious that what we are communicating here is a reflection of a
problem in broader society that affects many more people than our
members,” said FIFPro’s General Secretary, Jonas Baer-Hoffmann.
“I think the emphasis should be more on understanding that football
players in general are actually more similar to average society than
most people think.”
Footballers in many countries have been confined to their homes with
competitions having been suspended since mid-March.
Discussions are ongoing among federations and governing bodies about
how and when the season can resume, with Europe’s biggest leagues
hopeful of starting again soon with matches behind closed doors.
However, Baer-Hoffmann sounded a note of caution and dismissed
suggestions that the study provided any argument for rushing back onto
the field.
“If we were to pressure players back in an environment where they
may feel their safety is being put in danger, then it would rather add
to their anxiety and concern,” he said.
BSS/AFP/MRU/1910hrs