FIFA speak out on ‘no reports’ linking collapsing footballers to COVID-19 vaccinations
Nominees revealed for Fans' Footballer of the Year
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Football governing FIFA have spoken out on social media speculation linking the recent spike in footballers collapsing on the field to COVID-19 vaccinations – stating they have received no evidence of a correlation between the two. Since the worrying scenes in Copenhagen back in June when Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen required CPR after suffering a cardiac arrest in his side’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland, there has been a number of notable and concerning incidents within the sport, particularly in recent weeks.
Elderly Newcastle supporter Alan George Smith, 80, collapsed in the stands and required CPR at St James’ Park in the Magpies 3-1 defeat to Tottenham back in October.
But last week there were three high-profile cases involving professional players, raising more alarm bells amongst the football community.
Sheffield United midfielder John Fleck was rushed to hospital after collapsing during his side’s Championship clash with Reading last week.
The Scotland international required “urgent medical care” before being stretchered off as play was halted for 11 minutes.
JUST IN: Lionel Messi requests Robert Lewandowski receives Ballon d’Or after beating rival to award
It was later confirmed that Fleck was conscious on his way to hospital.
Wigan striker Charlie Wyke, who has five goals in 15 League One appearances this season, also collapsed in training before being stabilised in hospital.
The former Sunderland man later asked Wigan to brief that he was yet to receive his COVID-19 vaccination, ending any rumours that the incident was linked to the vaccine.
Inter Milan director Giuseppe Marotta also confirmed back in June that Eriksen had not received his jab before the tragic incident in Denmark.
DON’T MISS
Lionel Messi requests Robert Lewandowski receives Ballon d’Or after beating rival to award
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel ‘plots Barcelona swoop’ after Xavi targets four of his players
Robert Lewandowski’s agent tells Lionel Messi 2021 Ballon d’Or ‘doesn’t belong to him’
FC Sheriff’s Adama Traore also collapsed during the Moldovan minnow’s Champions League tie with Real Madrid, as he went to ground clutching his chest.
But now FIFA have stepped in to provide some clarity in light of recent events, making it clear that they have received no evidence to suggest any of the cases were linked to COVID-19 vaccinations.
A spokesperson told Reuters: “FIFA is not aware of a rise in episodes of cardiac arrests as indicated in your email and no cases have been flagged in relation to individuals receiving a COVID vaccine.
“Generally speaking, FIFA is in regular contact with leading research centres and experts to do research on a variety of medical topics.”
Former England midfielder and now pundit Trevor Sinclair was recently cut off by talkSPORT after questioning whether the cases of players collapsing are linked to COVID-19 vaccinations.
Yet Professor Keith Neal of the University of Nottingham – who specialises in the research of the epidemiology of infectious diseases – believes it’s irresponsible to make those suggestions based on little evidence.
He told The Telegraph: “Given the track record of certain footballers in the field of anti-vaccine beliefs, it is totally irresponsible to make these unsubstantiated comments, as opposed to getting them properly dealt with.”
Professor Robert Dingwall, public health specialist at Nottingham Trent’s School of Social Sciences, also added: “It may be tempting to blame Covid vaccines but pundits do have a public responsibility not to fuel vaccine hesitancy without any real evidence that this is a common factor in widely separated events.”
Source: Read Full Article