The Football Association and Women's Super League have announced a joint investigation into the prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in women's football. The initiative aims to understand why female players suffer ACL tears at significantly higher rates than their male counterparts.
The announcement comes after several high-profile cases, including England captain Leah Williamson who ruptured her ACL in 2023. The investigation will examine training loads, playing surfaces, footwear, and physiological factors contributing to the injury pattern.
Researchers and medical experts will collaborate on the study, which is expected to produce recommendations for injury prevention programs across all levels of the women's game in England.
