Football injuries have surged to alarming new heights during the 2023/24 season, prompting serious concerns within the game. According to the latest Men’s European Football Injury Index report released by Howden, injuries across Europe’s top five leagues have not only become more frequent, they have also become more costly. The analysis revealed 4,123 reported injuries this season, marking a significant 4% increase from the previous year, with the related costs soaring by 5% to reach a staggering €732.02 million.
This increase reflects a worrying trend, as over the past four seasons, teams playing at the highest level have recorded 14,292 injuries, costing clubs around €2.3 billion. The 2023/24 Injury Index highlights mounting apprehensions about fixture congestion, with players and staff alike expressing frustration about the pressures of modern football.
“The players are definitely feeling the physical demands of the game,” said James Burrows, head of sport at Howden. “With expanded competitions both domestically and internationally, it’s becoming increasingly tough, and unfortunately, we are starting to see more athletes sidelined for longer periods.”
The English Premier League (EPL) bears the lion's share of this troubling statistic, reporting 915 injuries, which translates to 44% of all injuries logged across the five major leagues. This is up from 42% last season, reflecting not only the league's competitiveness but also the physical toll it takes on its players. The cumulative cost of injuries within the EPL came to nearly €319 million, and clubs faced injuries on average every 94 minutes of competitive play.
Being one of the most watched leagues globally, the EPL’s injury crisis is like a canary in the coal mine, signaling broader issues affecting player welfare across the continent. While clubs like Wolves and Crystal Palace have managed to maintain below-average injury rates, very few have escaped unscathed. High-profile teams like Newcastle United, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool have seen injury levels consistently surpass the league average.
Across the five European leagues tracked, injuries occurred every 92 minutes on average, with 96 clubs participating across 4,232 matches. Each match saw around 0.97 injuries, impacting club finances to the tune of roughly €172,975 per match, and about €1,922 per minute on the pitch. Some clubs faced exorbitant injury rates, such as Bundesliga's Darmstadt, who reported injuries every 33 minutes of game time.
Meanwhile, Ligue 1's Toulouse emerged as the most fortunate club, notching their injuries every 338 minutes, which paints a stark picture of the health disparities across leagues and teams. While Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund grappled with injury frequencies above the Bundesliga average, others like Toulouse benefitted from fewer sidelined players.
The report also brought to light troubling insights related to younger players. The 2023/24 season illustrated significant spikes in injury severity among athletes aged 21 and under. Players within this age group missed, on average, 44 days due to injuries—an increase of 187% when compared to the 2020/21 season. Serie A and the EPL recorded the highest escalations in injury durations, with Serie A's young players sidelined for approximately 35.16 days per injury.
With each rising injury number, stakeholder voices have started echoing louder, calling for systemic changes. Last month, as unrest among players mounted, Manchester City midfielder Rodri warned of potential strike action if the mounting pressures and fixture congestion continue unabated. His concerns were echoed after he suffered a season-ending knee injury shortly thereafter—an unfortunate turn underscoring the dire reality facing modern footballers.
The release of this Injury Index has spurred discussions around player safety, drawing attention from the European leagues and player unions alike. They recently lodged formal complaints against FIFA, arguing for greater awareness and accountability when it came to the physical welfare of athletes, especially in light of the expanded Club World Cup format.
This pressure from players, clubs, and unions signifies not only the seriousness of the issue but also the determination to find solutions. Now more than ever, the responsibility lies with football’s governing bodies to prioritize player welfare and examine sustainable options for league structures and match scheduling moving forward. The world of football is watching, and the players deserve action before it's too late.
