PFA Neurodiversity Study Sheds Light on Mental Health in Football
The PFA neurodiversity study is making headlines for all the right reasons. For the first time in English football, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has launched a large-scale research project to explore the prevalence of neurodiversity among current players in the Premier League, WSL, and EFL. Over 700 players have taken part, providing valuable insights into how conditions like ADHD and autism may be showing up within elite football environments.
Why This Study Matters
According to early findings published by the PFA, only 5% of surveyed players had a formal diagnosis. However, a much higher number reported neurodivergent traits. For example, 26% mentioned attention-related challenges, while 22% reported difficulties with social interaction. These results suggest that neurodiversity in football may be more widespread than previously understood. That’s why the PFA’s research could play a key role in shaping future support systems for players who may need extra help but remain undiagnosed.
Goalkeeper Safia Middleton-Patel, who plays for Manchester United and has autism, has openly praised the initiative. She believes it will help both players and clubs better understand how to work with different needs.
“My teammates understand me completely – the staff understand me completely – and it has been long, with a lot of hard conversations about the way I am, but it’s massively important for me to be comfortable on the pitch,” Middleton-Patel says. “I think it’s [the research study] really important, and I wish it was something I had when I was younger.”
To further emphasize the importance of the study, Dr. Michael Bennett, Director of Player Wellbeing at the PFA, shared his perspective. He said the goal is to begin a “football-wide conversation” around neurodiversity and reduce the stigma around conditions like autism and ADHD.
“Professional football is a unique working environment with unique pressures,” Bennett explains. “In the same way players all have different physical attributes, they also have different behavioural characteristics that will influence how they approach the day-to-day things that are part of their job, whether that’s understanding training drills, studying post-match video or engaging with teammates and fans.”
This testimony reinforces why the PFA neurodiversity study isn’t just timely — it’s necessary.
What’s Next for the PFA Neurodiversity Study
The study began in October 2024 and will run until the end of the 2024/25 season. Once completed, the PFA plans to publish the findings and work with clubs to improve inclusivity. This step marks a broader shift in football’s culture — one that values mental well-being as much as physical performance. As the study moves forward, it highlights the PFA’s commitment to fostering a more supportive and understanding football community.
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