FA and WSL launch major study into ACL injuries in women's football

The Football Association and WSL Football have launched a major research project to better understand why anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries occur in women's football and identify ways to reduce them.

Funded by the FA, the PhD study with Imperial College London and sports knee surgeon Simon Ball will be led by researcher Hanna Lehtovirta and involve clubs across the Women's Super League and WSL2.

ACL injuries are among the most serious issues facing the women's game, often keeping players out for months.

Research suggests female footballers are two to six times more likely to suffer the injury than their male counterparts.