The unsafe condition on the field puts the players in danger

Panama is experiencing an unprecedented moment in terms of the growing deterioration of football infrastructure, he warned Professional Footballers Association of Panama (AFUTPA).

The unsafe condition of soccer fields in Panama is a latent concern that threatens the health of soccer players, the association pointed out.

The AFUTPA reported two cases of seriously injured players. Knee injury in the first match of the Prom League at the Agustín Muquita Sánchez Stadium, added to the cruciate ligament in the Luis Ernesto Cascarita Tapia in the national team.

In the 2023 season Panama Soccer League 129 serious injuries were recorded. “If we take as a reference that there are just under 300 players registered in the LPF, it is safe to say that, statistically, close to 50% of players have suffered some kind of injury,” details of the AFUTPA investigation.

“Although not all injuries can be attributed to the poor condition of the sports infrastructure, it is noticeable that the number of injuries in our football is increasing, contrary to the current quality of our pitches,” the document states.

Recently, he is the goalkeeper of the club women’s national team, Sasha Fabregas he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during training at the stadium Luis Ernesto Cascarita Tapia.

He warns that numerous football surfaces on which professional or semi-professional leagues play, and watch selection training, are still in poor condition, exposing players to significant risks of injury.

It is imperative that this issue be resolved urgently to ensure a safe and conducive environment for playing football in the country, he pointed out.

“We demand seriousness on the part of the Panamanian authorities, the League, FEPAFUT and the football clubs that use these surfaces, to take immediate measures, guaranteeing the rehabilitation and adequate maintenance of the football fields in Panama”he added.

AFUTPA as an association is not exempt from self-criticism, in order to play a better role as a carrier of support for the improvement of football infrastructure in general.