F.A.I. GIVES TOP PRIORITY TO THE HEALTH OF PLAYERS
Health News Ireland looks at the safety measures that are in place for Irish footballers…
IN light of the Fabrice Muamba cardiac incident in England two weeks ago (see: ‘Fabrice Muamba – How Could Something Like this Happen? March 20th), we decided to find out how we shape up in Ireland, if the same tragedy happened.
Surprisingly, we seem to be way ahead of our British counterparts in this regard. The safeguards that the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have put in place are quite impressive and should come as a welcome relief to everybody – players, fans and family alike – who are involved in the game in Ireland.
The whole area comes under a stipulation called ‘Domestic Licensing Criteria relating to Medical Care of Players’. And it is comprehensive.
“Teams must ensure that all players in their first team squad undergo an annual general medical examination,” the FAI’s Richard Fahey told Health News Ireland. “The team must also ensure that all players in their first team squad undergo cardiac screening at least every three years.”
Evidence of these tests must be provided to the FAI within one month of the player signing a contract with the club. And the medical examination must be carried out by a doctor who is registered with the Medical Council of Ireland.
Support and Advice
Cover by a fully qualified medical doctor is another thing that the FAI are sticklers about. Clubs are required to appoint at least one medical doctor, who will be responsible for the medical support and advice for the first team squad, as well as for doping prevention policy.
“The doctor must be present during matches and ensure medical support during training,” said Mr Fahey. “When it comes to away matches, teams can share the home team’s doctor, but this must be confirmed by the away team – and written confirmation of this agreement must be forwarded to the FAI at least 24 hours before a match.”
Hold on, there’s more: teams must make arrangements with the Health Board for the provision of at least one fully equipped ambulance and crew to be in attendance at all games. And, where voluntary organisations like the Order of Malta or the St John’s Ambulance group are being utilised, these organisations are required to liaise with the Health Authorities in order to ensure that their activities are fully integrated with the Health Authorities’ plans.
The general yearly medical screening for players must include, as a minimum, the following:
Surprisingly, we seem to be way ahead of our British counterparts in this regard. The safeguards that the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have put in place are quite impressive and should come as a welcome relief to everybody – players, fans and family alike – who are involved in the game in Ireland.
The whole area comes under a stipulation called ‘Domestic Licensing Criteria relating to Medical Care of Players’. And it is comprehensive.
“Teams must ensure that all players in their first team squad undergo an annual general medical examination,” the FAI’s Richard Fahey told Health News Ireland. “The team must also ensure that all players in their first team squad undergo cardiac screening at least every three years.”
Evidence of these tests must be provided to the FAI within one month of the player signing a contract with the club. And the medical examination must be carried out by a doctor who is registered with the Medical Council of Ireland.
Support and Advice
Cover by a fully qualified medical doctor is another thing that the FAI are sticklers about. Clubs are required to appoint at least one medical doctor, who will be responsible for the medical support and advice for the first team squad, as well as for doping prevention policy.
“The doctor must be present during matches and ensure medical support during training,” said Mr Fahey. “When it comes to away matches, teams can share the home team’s doctor, but this must be confirmed by the away team – and written confirmation of this agreement must be forwarded to the FAI at least 24 hours before a match.”
Hold on, there’s more: teams must make arrangements with the Health Board for the provision of at least one fully equipped ambulance and crew to be in attendance at all games. And, where voluntary organisations like the Order of Malta or the St John’s Ambulance group are being utilised, these organisations are required to liaise with the Health Authorities in order to ensure that their activities are fully integrated with the Health Authorities’ plans.
The general yearly medical screening for players must include, as a minimum, the following:
- A cardiac screening questionnaire
- A cardiovascular examination
- An electrocardiogram
- An echocardiography