Premier League have announced that a new initiative has launched in order to fund Automated External Defibrillators (AED) for use of grassroot football clubs.
This new initiative has been launched following the sudden cardiac arrest of ex Tottenham midfielder, Christian Eriksen during Denmark’s opening defeat to Finland at this summer’s Euros.
In partnership with Football Foundation and FA, the first phrase of this project will see the Premier League provide AEDs to facilities funded by the Football Foundation which are currently without a life-saving device on individual sites.
Speaking on the inspiration behind this initiative, Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Masters commented: “The traumatic incident we all witnessed when Christian Eriksen collapsed during UEFA Euro 2020 brings into sharp focus the need for defibrillators to be more widely available across the football community.
“The welfare of participants and all those involved in football is a priority and this fund will support many people using football facilities not just with the provision of devices but also the training required to use the equipment.”
The Premier League have also confirmed that the second phrase will see grassroots clubs that own their ground and facilities invited to apply for funding to buy a defibrillator, with over 2,000 sites in total expected to benefit from the Premier League Defibrillator Fund across both phrases.
A first batch of 1,000 defibrillators will be delivered to various facilities in time for the start of 2021-22 season which gets underway between late July – early August, with a second batch expected to be released in September.
It is anticipated that once installed, the AEDs set to be accessible if required to over 1.5 million people who use the facilities across each season.
Each recipient of a defibrillator grant however will be required to have one person successfully undertake a Sudden Cardiac Arrest Course for free online via the FA Education, whilst all facilities will be instructed on how to ensure their device are registered with emergency services and update an emergency action plan.
Former Bolton Wanderers player, Fabrice Muamba has welcomed this move after suffering a cardiac arrest in a FA Cup Quarter-Final tie at Totten in March 2012, saying: “I know from personal experience the importance of having access to this type of medical equipment and how vital it is for someone’s survival after suffering from sudden cardiac arrest.
“Educating people how to use defibrillators is crucial. I really hope the clubs and facilities will encourage as many coaches, players and staff to undertake the training provided and help create safe places to play the game we all love.”
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