English football organisations launch major investigation into ACL injuries in women's game

The FA and WSL launch a major study into ACL injuries in women's football, conducted by Imperial College London, to understand causes and prevention strategies.

The English Football Association and the Women's Super League have launched a comprehensive investigation into anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in women's football. The study aims to identify why these injuries occur and how to reduce their incidence. ACL injuries are among the most serious in women's football, sidelining players for months or longer than a year.

All clubs from the WSL and WSL2 have been invited to participate. The research, funded by the FA and conducted by Imperial College London, will examine how various risk factors—anatomical, hormonal, and others—interact in the daily practice of elite women's football. Previous studies have typically examined these factors in isolation or controlled settings.

The investigation follows a parallel Dutch study launched in 2024 by the University Medical Center Groningen, commissioned by UEFA and supported by the KNVB, which examined ACL injuries in female amateur players aged 19–21. Early findings suggest that underestimating stress from juggling sport, schoolwork, paid employment, and social life is a risk factor.