Improvements in infection control and emergency surgery since the early days of organised soccer have mostly eliminated the fatal complications that were once common after routine sporting injuries.
However, deaths from heart failure have increased as the intense pace of the modern game has placed higher demands on players' aerobic conditioning.
Following an increase in heart-related deaths,[1] both during matches and training, in 2007 the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) considered mandatory cardiac testing,[2] already in place for years in some countries, such as Italy.
[4] The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) required extensive medical tests, including electrocardiogram and echocardiogram for players in the Europa League 2011–12.
It does not include players who suffered cardiac "death" on the pitch but were successfully resuscitated and survived, such as Fabrice Muamba and Christian Eriksen.