The PFF Medical Panel would like to remind all football stakeholders of the following when conducting football activities within your respective territories especially during the summer season in the Philippines:
- Matches played in extreme heat (above 32o) should have cooling breaks or may be called off as deemed necessary by Match Organisers for the safety of the participants; and
Match Organisers (at all levels) should have adequate medical provisions which include: (i) availability of an ambulance on-site; and, (ii) adequately trained responders/personnel including equipment capable for life resuscitation/life support, e.g. automated external defibrillator (AED). - PFF also strongly recommends to ensure that medical clearances are obtained from players, especially grassroots and non-professional, prior to participation in the said event.
Unnecessary loss of lives may be prevented if we continuously remind match organisers to take medical care of players, especially the young ones, to heart. Any loss of life in football is one loss too many.
