The NWSL Players Association is urging the league to implement a mandatory, unambiguous rule (a `bright-line rule`) for match operations concerning medical emergencies. This call comes in the wake of a recent incident involving Angel City FC defender Savy King. The 20-year-old collapsed during a match against the Utah Royals and has since undergone successful heart surgery, according to an update from the club and King`s family.
The incident occurred in the 78th minute of the game. Despite King being stretchered off, the match was not postponed, leading to continued criticism of the NWSL`s handling of the emergency. An initial statement from the league on Saturday wished King well and praised the medical staff, asserting that all game protocols had been followed.
“League protocols were followed from both a medical and game operations perspective. We are grateful to the Angel City medical staff as well as to local paramedics who handled this difficult situation seamlessly,” part of the statement read.
However, the NWSL is now reportedly set to revise its policy. This development follows a statement released by the NWSL Players Association on Wednesday, demanding that the league reevaluate its protocol for postponing games.
In an interview, NWSLPA executive director Meghann Burke elaborated on the union`s demand for a `bright-line rule` to be applied in any future medical episode during a game. She explained that such a rule would provide a clear, obvious guideline with no room for interpretation, designed to simplify decision-making and minimize disputes.
“If player safety is of paramount importance, then I`m wondering what other factors could possibly be at play in a life-saving situation here. We`re making it too hard. This is a very straightforward decision. Life-saving measures on the field to revive a player or stabilize a player — or coach or referee — the game should stop playing… and this is the reason that the players are asking for a bright-line rule,” Burke stated.
The league has publicly acknowledged that the game should not have continued. Speaking to The Athletic, a league representative confirmed, “Having reviewed our protocols and how they were implemented, and in listening to feedback from our stakeholders, the Angel City vs Utah game last Friday night should not have continued.”
“The health and well-being of the entire NWSL community remains our top priority, and in any similar situation going forward the game should and would be abandoned.”
King is currently in her second professional season. She was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2024 NWSL Draft by Bay FC but was traded to Angel City during the offseason and has become a key defender for the team.
As she recovers, the incident has renewed calls within the women`s soccer community for the league to prioritize player safety and establish clearer emergency procedures.
King`s medical emergency highlights a concerning trend of such incidents in collegiate and professional sports. Notable cases include NBA player Bronny James` cardiac episode at USC, Christian Eriksen`s cardiac arrest during the 2022 UEFA Euros, and NFL player Damar Hamlin`s similar episode during a game with the Buffalo Bills.
The responses to the Eriksen and Hamlin incidents differed significantly. Eriksen`s match continued later that night at the request of the players after he was hospitalized, while the NFL postponed and eventually canceled the Bills game involving Hamlin after consultations with teams and the players union.
Despite the varied outcomes in past situations, Burke maintains that the severity of King`s case warranted stopping the game to ensure the well-being of King and everyone else involved. She stressed that continuing the game was incorrect and that the league and the players association aim to establish leadership in making the right calls moving forward.
“[A bright line rule] would be consistent with what we`re hearing across the industry when you look at the Damar Hamlin situation, which, to be clear, is a different medical situation. But even the NFL, which is probably the biggest moneymaker in all pro sports, stopped because it was the right thing to do,” Burke added.
“We`re human beings, and this is a simple matter of humanity. We are looking for decisiveness. The decision should have been made Friday night. In the days that followed, there was an opportunity to make a decision. We`re still hand-wringing about what`s the right call, and for us this is very clear and very simple.”
Dominic Ashworth