Friendly Matches by FIFA Put Players' Health At Risk

I cringe every time there is a friendly match (like a charity match, a testimonial, or high-profile celebrity kickabout) because the safety of players is usually overlooked. The recent FIFA Legends match is another example of this. Players NEVER wear SHIN GUARDS.

The article below makes a song-and-dance about the availability (or lack) of defibrillators, while overlooking the simple act of not wearing protective shin pads.  FIFA's medical chief may criticise his organisation's lack of available defibrillators but not all stadia or sports clubs are rich enough to afford such specialized equipment. Shin guards, on the other hand (or foot!), are affordable to all players.

Diego Maradona and Co's health 'put at risk' by FIFA during Legends matches at Zurich headquarters

• FIFA staged Legends match at their headquarters without pitchside defibrillator
• Council member Michel D'Hooghe was angry at lack of medical equipment
• Ex-players including Diego Maradona, Carles Puyol and Lucas Radebe took part

By Charles Sale for the Daily Mail

Published: 22:47 GMT, 9 January 2017 | Updated: 22:47 GMT, 9 January 2017  

FIFA's medical chief has slammed world football's ruling body for staging Legends matches at their own headquarters in Zurich without a pitchside defibrillator.

Belgium's FIFA council member Michel D'Hooghe was visibly angry at the lack of emergency medical equipment on the touchline for the tournament held at FIFA House, especially considering the ages and physical shape of those playing — notably Diego Maradona, 56, once the world's greatest player.

Along with Maradona, the former stars taking part included Spain's Carles Puyol and Michel Salgado, South Africa's Lucas Radebe, Argentina's Gabriel Batistuta and Croatia's Zvonimir Boban, now FIFA deputy secretary general.

Diego Maradona took part in a FIFA Legends match ahead of the awards ceremony in Zurich

The Argentine legend played alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino and England full back Alex Scott

They were joined by a number of top football administrators led by FIFA president Gianni Infantino. 

Other suits on the pitch were CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani, Brazil football chief Fernando Sarney, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin and America's Sunil Gulati.

There were two defibrillators, used to revive heart-attack victims, stored nearby in the offices and the gym. 

But D'Hooghe, chairman of FIFA's medical committee, said: 'FIFA are not setting a good example. The equipment should be ready for use beside the pitch, not in the building. The first three minutes are the most important in the event of the heart stopping.

'And this is a dangerous day, with many of the legends and the football officials not being particularly fit. It's high risk.'