The players’ union will conduct inspections of every A-League club’s facilities after a 30 per cent spike was recorded in the number of games missed through injury last season.
In its injury report for the 2013/14 season released on Monday the union, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), found while the total number of injuries suffered remained the same as the previous campaign, there was a whopping 704 games missed through injury, up almost 30 per cent from the season prior.
In 2011/12 Football Federation Australia (FFA) and the PFA introduced Minimum Medical Standards – a uniform guide to ensure all clubs met set standards for things including medical staff, medical testing and records.
PFA boss Adam Vivian says these results have made him second guess the standards’ effectiveness.
“The findings of the injury report raises concerns as to whether the Minimum Medical Standards remain adequate or whether they are being complied with,” Vivian said in a statement on Monday.
“As a result of these concerns the PFA will introduce site inspections for the coming A-League season with the aim of working with the clubs and Football Federation Australia to ensure a truly ‘world class’ workplace for our members.”
Injuries cost clubs $4.74 million last season, up by $700,000 on 2012/13 with Sydney FC ($682,870) forking out the most of all 10 clubs.
Sydney FC also topped the list for the number of injuries and the number of games missed through injury for a second season in a row with Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City (Heart) the only two sides to post a reduction in both categories.
CLUB-BY-CLUB BREAKDOWN OF INJURY FIGURES
NUMBER OF PLAYERS INJURED 2013/14:
Adelaide – 14 (13 in 2012/13)
Brisbane – 12 (11)
Central Coast – 8 (8)
Melbourne City – 9 (12)
Melbourne Victory – 11 (12)
Newcastle Jets – 15 (14)
Perth Glory – 12 (12)
Sydney FC – 15 (16)
Wellington Phoenix – 11 (12)
Western Sydney Wanderers – 17 (11)
NUMBER OF INJURIES 2013/14:
Adelaide United – 21 (17 in 2012/13)
Brisbane Roar – 15 (12)
Central Coast – 10 (10)
Melbourne City – 13 (17)
Melbourne Victory – 12 (17)
Newcastle Jets – 17 (16)
Perth Glory – 16 (19)
Sydney FC – 23 (27)
Wellington Phoenix – 15 (14)
Western Sydney Wanderers – 20 (13)
NUMBER OF GAMES MISSED 2013/14:
Adelaide United – 72 (55 in 2012/13)
Brisbane Roar – 70 (46)
Central Coast – 71 (41)
Melbourne City – 59 (67)
Melbourne Victory – 30 (48)
Newcastle Jets – 72 (62)
Perth Glory – 86 (62)
Sydney FC – 118 (92)
Wellington Phoenix – 76 (38)
Western Sydney Wanderers 50 (31)
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