The Football Association (FA) and the Women's Super League (WSL) have announced a joint investigation into the prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in women's football. The initiative aims to understand the factors contributing to the high rate of such injuries among female players and to develop strategies for prevention and management.
The announcement comes amid growing concern over the impact of ACL tears on players' careers and team performance. England international Leah Williamson suffered a ruptured ACL in 2023, highlighting the issue at the highest level of the women's game. The investigation will examine training loads, playing surfaces, footwear, and physiological differences as potential contributing factors.
Both governing bodies have committed to collaborating with medical experts, clubs, and players to gather comprehensive data. The findings are expected to inform updated guidelines for player welfare and injury reduction across the women's professional game in England.
