SUMMARY OF SPECTATORS’ INJURY STATISTICS

Background

At the end of each season as part of the licence application, we ask all the Premier and Football League clubs and international grounds to provide details of the number of spectators treated for injuries at football matches at their grounds.

For the purpose of this summary an injury is classed as a wound or trauma, hurt or harm, usually applied to damage inflicted on a body by an external force.  Illnesses are by their nature excluded.  Pre-existing injuries are also discounted from the returns as the summary primarily focuses on spectators’ injuries occurring within the curtilage of the ground on match day.

Summary of Findings

2013/14 Football Season

• The number of reported spectator injuries for 2013/14 season was 1088, a 13% increase from the 965 reported in 2012/13.
• The reported overall injury ratio per spectator was one injury per 31,300 spectators. 
• The total number of injured spectators reported taken to hospital was 64, compared with 77 in the previous season. 
• Overall most injuries were minor and were treated by the sports ground medical team. The highest category, as in previous years, was injuries resulting from trips, slips and falls.