‘Footballers like Foe are being overplayed’

ENGLAND defender Rio Ferdinand believes the tragic death of Cameroon international Marc-Vivien Foe highlights his opinion that top-level footballers are being overplayed.

Midfielder Foe, who spent last season on loan at Manchester City, collapsed during his country’s Confederations Cup semi-final against Colombia in France on Thursday night and later died despite frantic efforts to revive him.

Ferdinand, who played alongside Foe at West Ham, said: “I’m not sure the reasons how this has come about but this is big talking point that needs to be looked into.

“I think players do need to recharge. This is my longest break since I have been a professional and that’s because I’ve been injured.

“I feel very recharged. I have had four weeks off but a lot of professionals don’t get four weeks off.”

Ferdinand particularly questioned whether the Confederations Cup was a necessary tournament when a lot of players may still not have had a lengthy break since last year’s World Cup.

He added: “I don’t think the competition is worthwhile. It’s not a World Cup or European Championship. Why do we need another one?

“I will remember him (Foe) as a great professional, a loveable guy who never had a bad word to say about anyone.”

PFA chairman Gordon Taylor has led calls for players to be given more thorough and regular health tests and Ferdinand feels fewer games would also reduce stress on players.

Taylor believes the tragedy should serve as a warning to all clubs that it is essential to keep a close eye on the health of their players.

“We do heart screen tests on all the youngsters who come into the game at 16 just to make sure everything is okay,” Taylor said.

“This is also a reminder to all clubs to have regular medical check-ups.”

Only last week France team doctor Jean-Marcel Ferret claimed that the scheduling of the matches did not give players enough time to recover properly.

“To recover fully from a football match you need three, if not four days,” he said.

“Playing three matches in five days under the current temperatures is a complete nonsense.

“The players have not had complete recovery on their bodies, the risks for their health are clearly increased,” he said.

A post-mortem has ruled out a stroke as the cause of Foe’s death and the exact cause of death is likely to be revealed in the next few days.

The Confederations Cup final will go ahead tomorrow as scheduled after the Cameroon team confirmed they were willing to play the match against France. The team will pay tribute to Foe by wearing shirts bearing his name for the game.