Sam Kerr ACL blow highlights impact of dreaded injury in women’s game

Female footballers are three to six times more likely than men to suffer the injury, yet the reasons why are still poorly understood

KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: Sam Kerr of Chelsea celebrates after scoring the team's third goal during the Barclays WomenÂŽs Super League match between Chelsea FC and Leicester City at Kingsmeadow on November 26, 2023 in Kingston upon Thames, England. (Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images)

On Sunday, another high-profile casualty was added to the ever-increasing list of women players affected by the dreaded anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Chelsea’s prolific striker Sam Kerr sustained the injury during the club’s warm weather training camp in Morocco before the restart of the domestic season and has been ruled out of action for the foreseeable future.

The Australian forward became the latest to be affected, continuing the current spate of ACL issues in the women’s game. At least 13 Women’s Super League players are currently going through recovery, including the England captain, Leah Williamson, the Manchester United defender Gabby George and the Leicester winger Hannah Cain.