The NWSL Players Association has demanded that the league update its policy on game postponements in the wake of a medical event during Angel City’s win over the Utah Royals on Friday, with defender Savy King later undergoing surgery to correct a heart abnormality.
“These moments demand humanity, sound judgment, and restraint,” a statement from the players association read in part. “Any medical emergency that requires the administration of life-saving care should bring play to an end. The match should not have continued. Our members are elite, world-class competitors who have proven they can perform under unimaginable conditions. That does not mean they should have to.
“While the medical response demonstrated the highest level of competence and care, the decision to continue play demonstrated how player safety is weighed and operationalized in real time. Incidents of this severity must prioritize our collective humanity and should automatically trigger suspension of the match. The Players Association is committed to making this the standard in NWSL.”
King collapsed in the 74th minute of Angel City’s 2-0 win over the Utah Royals and received medical attention on the field for about 10 minutes before she was…
