PFA seeks reassurance on emergency measures
The injuries to goalkeepers this season have led the Professional Footballers’ Association to investigate the efficiency of the emergency services at stadiums.
Fulham goalkeeper Antti Niemi was carried off on a stretcher after an horrific-looking fall on his head against Watford, 11 weeks after Chelsea’s Petr Cech suffered a fractured skull against Reading.
Shay Given had a tear in his bowel following a challenge in Newcastle’s match at West Ham, with surgeons comparing the impact of the injury to that of a car crash.
Niemi has been released from hospital and doctors have cleared him of spinal cord or column injury, but the incident highlighted the importance of having the emergency services ready for players.
“We’ve had a number of serious injuries, particularly to goalkeepers, and it highlights the precariousness of the profession,” said PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor. “It’s not a piece of cake out there.
“We’ve had discussions with the Premier League on making sure that all immediate possible medical facilities are at hand, particularly with ambulances to get them to hospital as quickly as possible.
“That is something that we’re wanting to make sure of and are checking up on. While there needs to be ambulance facilities for spectators, we’re looking to make sure that everything is in place for a quick and speedy action when emergency treatment is needed.
“The Petr Cech case was a reminder that we should make sure that everything possible that can be done is being done to avoid any possible tragedy.”
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho had raised concerns over the treatment Cech received at the Madejski Stadium in a match that also saw reserve goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini suffer concussion.
Former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton believes technique cannot prevent freak injuries occurring.
Shilton said: “I was lucky enough not to have any serious injuries during my career but you are bound to have the odd occasion when players fall awkwardly.
“It’s always there. You’re never going to be 100% sure.
“In some ways, technique can help sometimes but obviously there are occasions when you can’t do anything about it.
“With Petr Cech’s injury, he came out correctly. It was just unfortunate he got caught.”
Shilton welcomes extra protection from referees for goalkeepers but does not want to see free kicks for fair challenges.
“I think goalkeepers need that extra bit of protection. They are always vulnerable to opposition making early challenges on them. The opposition do not have anything to lose and can take chances,” he said.
“So referees have to give the benefit of the doubt for that reason, without bordering on the ridiculous.”
