The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the umbrella organization of 55 European national associations and the governing body of European football, launched a new initiative dedicated to raising awareness, better understanding, and prevention of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, especially among female athletes. UEFA is committed to making every game safe for all players.
UEFA established a panel of experts in women’s health, which established a group of renowned researchers and experts tasked to examine the prevalence of ACL injuries among female athletes. In line with the initiative, the panel created an ACL awareness questionnaire. This first step in the initiative aims to gather insights from the women’s football community, including players, coaches, physiotherapists, doctors, and even parents. The panel also wants to gain an in-depth understanding of the daily challenges that each person affected by ACL injuries faces.
Ultimately, the initiative's overall goal is that by the summer of 2024, UEFA will have published a league-wide consensus on ACL injuries, including its prevention and management, and develop an up-to-date program for preventing ACL injuries in the future.
