FA to consider making ambulances compulsory at women's football fixtures after game is abandoned

Charlton defender Charlotte Kerr received treatment on the pitch - Charlton defender Charlotte Kerr received treatment on the pitch  
Charlton defender Charlotte Kerr received treatment on the pitch  Credit: REX

The FA may consider making ambulances compulsory at women’s games after the incident that saw Sunday’s fixture between Charlton and Manchester United abandoned on medical grounds.

A collision left Charlton’s Charlotte Kerr requiring oxygen and treatment from both sets of medical staff but it is understood she waited more than 20 minutes for an ambulance to arrive because there was not one on site.

Charlton have since announced that the player has left hospital with “badly bruised ribs and sternum”.

When contacted by Telegraph Sport, the FA declined to add to its statement from Sunday evening, which read: “The FA Women’s Championship has thorough matchday medical requirements and we are currently in communication with both clubs to understand more about the incident and will await the referee’s report.”

But they confirmed that is it not mandatory to have a player ambulance at Women’s Super League or Championship matches. This was agreed following pre-season consultations with clubs but may be changed ahead of the 2019/20 season.

Some Women’s Super League clubs nonetheless provide one - when contacted by Telegraph Sport, Yeovil, Manchester City, Birmingham City and Chelsea all said they have at least one ambulance at their home games - but there are a number of clubs in the second tier who do not, including Crystal Palace, Sheffield United, Aston Villa and Lewes.

Villa Ladies referred Telegraph Sport to earlier FA guidance, which read: “It is not mandatory to have a player ambulance at FA WSL or Women’s Championship matches. However, some of the clubs opt to have one in place. This is the agreed approach following consultation with the clubs before the start of the season. It will be reviewed and discussed again with the clubs before the start of the next season.”

A Crystal Palace spokesperson said: “CPLFC act in accordance to our license agreement and stipulations put in place by the FA. This doesn’t require an ambulance to be in attendance at FA Women's Championship games. However, we do have a fully qualified and practicing doctor, backed up by a medical team along with an extensive range of kit, covering from basic injury to extensive trauma care.”

A Sheffield United spokesperson said: “It is not mandatory to have a player ambulance at FA Women’s Championship matches but we do take the safety of players and spectators seriously. For Sheffield United Women home fixtures, we provide a club doctor, paramedics and extensive medical equipment and review our practices regularly.”

FA WSL and Women’s Championship Competition Rules state that clubs must provided emergency equipment “to include as a minimum a spinal board, cervical collar, fracture splints, crutches, stretchers, oxygen and a defibrillator”. There is no demand for an ambulance.

The EFL’s rules on crowd safety for the men’s game read: “Clubs shall ensure that they have in place appropriate arrangements for the provision of crowd doctors, paramedics, ambulances and other medical facilities together with appropriate emergency plans as are required under the terms of the safety certificate issued in accordance with the provisions of the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975.”

The safety criteria for grounds for the for the Women’s Super League and Championship are more closely aligned with the men’s National League, with both stating: “If a crowd of less than 2000 is anticipated, known and practiced arrangements should be in place to summon either a doctor or NHS ambulance alternative.” They must all provide a Medical Emergency Action Plan, or a MEAP, that covers “both training and competition match day medical emergencies.”

On Monday Charlton Women released an update on Kerr’s condition, which said: “Kerr was transferred to a local hospital by ambulance. After the results of a scan Charlotte has now left hospital. She has been left with badly bruised ribs and sternum. She will now be treated by the Charlton Athletic Women’s medical team who will assist her recovery.

“Medical teams from Charlton Athletic Women, Manchester United Women and the ambulance service were able to prevent a serious incident from becoming a lot worse."

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