Leah Williamson has warned the “unsustainable” football calendar will stunt the growth of the women’s game due to the volume of long-term injuries it contributes to.
The Arsenal and England defender missed the 2023 World Cup after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, one of four Arsenal first-team players to suffer such an injury last season, alongside Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema and Laura Wienroither.
Five of the 20 nominees for the 2022 Ballon d’Or Feminin sustained an ACL injury in 2022, while Australia and Chelsea striker Sam Kerr became the ninth Women’s Super League player to suffer an ACL injury this season.
Lionesses captain Williamson said the lack of rest caused by the congested schedule was a contributing factor.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Williamson said: “I think the way you’re taking women’s football right now, you won’t be able to increase the ticket prices or get bigger crowds in the stadiums because you won’t have players to watch. We are driving ourselves into the ground with it, so some sort of solution needs to be found soon, in terms of the schedule, otherwise it’s not sustainable.”
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