There’s sharp rise in footballers reporting depression symptoms — Players union

There has been a sharp rise in the number of footballers reporting symptoms of depression or anxiety since the sport was brought to a standstill by the COVID-19 outbreak.

The global players’ union, FIFPRO, says 22 per cent of women players and 13 per cent of men players who took part in a survey reported symptoms “consistent with a diagnosis of depression”.

It listed symptoms such as lack of interest, lack of appetite, lack of energy and self-esteem.

This compared to 11 per cent and six per cent respectively in a similar survey conducted in December and January.

It said 18 per cent of women players and 16 per cent of men reported symptoms of generalised anxiety such as worry or tension.

There was some crossover with 11 per cent of women players and 7.5 per cent of men reporting both sets of symptoms, FIFPRO said.

“In football, suddenly young men and women athletes are having to cope with social isolation, a suspension of their working lives and doubts about their future,” said FIFPRO’s chief medical officer Vincent Gouttebarge.

“It is a time of huge uncertainty for the players and their families due to the insecurity of their future and the social isolation.”

FIFPRO said the survey included 1,134 male players, with a mean age of 26, and 468 female players, with a mean age of 23, in 16 countries.

It was conducted with the Amsterdam University Medical Centre.

On a more positive note, Gouttebarge said nearly 80 per cent of players surveyed reported that they had access to sufficient resources and support for their mental health.

They said this was often through their national player associations.

FIFPRO general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann said they were not trying to make a special case for footballers.

“We are very conscious that this is a reflection of a problem in broader society and there is no suggestion that it is more severe for our members,” said Baer-Hoffmann.

“Footballers are more similar to average society than most people think, and that is simply because of the misconceptions about how players live.”

He stated that many footballers lived a precarious financial existence at the best of times.

“The average contract length is under two years and the average income is close to that of the general public,” he said.

“Many are incredibly dependent on their footballing skills and are not prepared for what would come after.”
Reuters/NAN.