NO TIME TO WASTE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND BEYOND: SCREENING FOR MENTAL HEALTH SYMPTOMS AND DISORDERS IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL
FEATURE / VINCENT GOUTTEBARGE
Within the context of professional football, the mental health of players has been legitimately the subject of increasing scrutiny over the past years. The available body of scientific evidence suggests that the prevalence of mental health symptoms among professional footballers is substantial, or at least similar to the prevalence of the general population. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its related adverse consequences, professional footballers have reported recently higher rates of mental health symptoms. Regardless of how long the professional football industry will remain affected by COVID-19, there is no time to waste anymore and a systematic screening programme for mental health symptoms among players should be introduced in any professional football clubs.