October 15, (THEWILL) – A recent report by insurance firm Howden has revealed significant findings regarding football injuries across Europe’s top five domestic leagues. The fourth edition of the Men’s European Football Injury Index shows a concerning upward trend in injury rates, with a total of 4,123 injuries recorded during the 2023/2024 season. This figure represents a 4% increase from the previous season and a substantial 37% rise since 2020/2021.
The financial impact of these injuries is considerable. Last season, clubs paid a combined €732 million in wages to players sidelined due to injuries. Since the report’s inception in 2020/2021, the total cost has reached an astounding €2.3 billion. The English Premier League bears the brunt of these costs, accounting for 44% of injury-related expenses across the five leagues, with a total of €318 million paid out last season.
Germany’s Bundesliga emerges as the league with the highest injury frequency, with players most likely to be injured amongst the top five European leagues. Notably, Borussia Monchengladbach recorded over 100 injuries in a single season, only the second team to do so since the report began. In contrast, the EPL saw a slight decrease in total injuries, from 944 in 2022/2023 to 915 last season.
The report also highlights concerns regarding young players in the EPL. Injuries to players under 21 have become more severe, with each injury resulting in an average 44-day lay-off, up from 26.5 days in the previous season. Additionally, knee injuries across all age groups reached a new high of 367 across the top leagues, costing clubs a combined €141 million.
These findings come amidst ongoing debates about player welfare and fixture congestion. With FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup and UEFA’s revamped club competitions adding to already packed schedules, players’ unions and domestic leagues have warned of potential strike action. James Burrows, Head of Sport at Howden, emphasised that the data underscores the increasing physical demands placed on players in modern football.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
