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Premier League ‘big four’ warned over Champions League injury threat

Strain of top European football increases player injuries by more than a quarter

September 19, 2008

The Premier League’s big four should be prepared to see their players spend far more time on the sidelines due to the pressures of European commitments.

Research published today by leading actuarial and business consultancy, EMB, highlights that the country’s major teams competing in Europe’s top club competition are paying a price through increased injury rates. Players competing in the Champions League are out injured 28 per cent more than those not competing.

The EMB report assesses injury data collected between the 2001/02 and 2006/07 seasons and supports opinion that the packed English schedule has a damaging effect on players.

“For someone as pivotal as Cristiano Ronaldo, who has just recovered from injury after being out for two months, to miss an increased number of games could be catastrophic to the team’s chances of success,” commented Paul Murray, EMB director. “This research proves that the ‘big four’ can expect their world class assets to spend more time with the physio.”

The report also highlights that the strain of a season including Champions League football puts far more pressure on a player’s fitness than domestic cups.

“The effect of Champions League football is much more significant than that of the domestic cups,” added Murray. “Top teams often rest their best players for domestic ties, by fielding a second string side. However, the demands of the Champions League, as well as the Premier League, do not allow for these concessions. It’s not simply that players get injured in Champions League ties, though some will, but rather that the increase in the number of top level games puts a greater strain on them.”

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“For someone as pivotal as Cristiano Ronaldo, who has just recovered from injury after being out for two months, to miss an increased number of games could be catastrophic to the team’s chances of success,” commented Paul Murray, EMB director. “This research proves that the ‘big four’ can expect their world class assets to spend more time with the physio.”

“The effect of Champions League football is much more significant than that of the domestic cups,” added Murray. “Top teams often rest their best players for domestic ties, by fielding a second string side. However, the demands of the Champions League, as well as the Premier League, do not allow for these concessions. It’s not simply that players get injured in Champions League ties, though some will, but rather that the increase in the number of top level games puts a greater strain on them.”

About the company

Established in 1993, EMB (www.emb.com) is a rapidly growing international consultancy firm specialising in non-life insurance. Covering personal lines, commercial insurance and the London Market, its services include Business Consultancy, Actuarial Consultancy, Professional Development, Marketing Sciences and Software. EMB pioneered the development and use of high performance actuarial software using modern desktop PCs. The range is unrivalled, making it feasible to perform tasks that would otherwise be impossible, impractical or hugely time-consuming. Headquartered in the UK, EMB employs more than 300 people around the globe covering Americas, Asia-Pacific and Europe, Middle East & Africa with clients that include 28 of the top 30 non-life companies in the world.

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Premier League ‘big four’ warned over Champions League injury threat

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