Painkillers also for amateurs: “Ibuprofen like Smarties”

1147 footballers, including eleven professionals and 1096 active players below the regional league (4th league in Germany; editor’s note) , took part in the survey by the ARD doping editorial team and the Correctiv research center. In addition, the research team says it spoke to 150 Bundesliga players, former professionals, coaches, team doctors, scientists and officials.

47 percent of participants take painkillers several times a season, 21 percent even take them once a month or more. The reason they gave was not just to combat acute pain, almost 42 percent of the participants wanted to use the pills to influence their performance. Specifically, they want to increase resilience, gain security and clear their heads. Some also directly stated in the survey that they wanted to improve their performance. Subotic speaks in front of the camera Neven Subotic from Bundesliga club Union Berlin was one of the few professionals to appear in front of the camera. The defense attorney explained: “What I have seen over the last 14 years is that Ibuprofen is being handed out like Smarties. For every little ouch, there is basically a blanket dose of ibuprofen.” For the players, it is “not obvious what consequences it can have, and they are usually not informed about it.” Neven Subotic (below) was one of the few professionals who spoke in front of the camera. © APA/afp / MARTIN MEISSNER

DFB President Fritz Keller appeared “shocked” and announced a reaction: “We absolutely have to go to our regional associations and raise awareness through coaches.” Amateur sport, according to Germany’s highest-ranking football representative, is “intended to maintain health and not for destroying yourself.” The documentary can be seen on Tuesday evening (22.45:XNUMX p.m.) on ARD.

Football

Italy

International leagues

International

Winter sports

Tennis

Other sports

Motorsport

Cycling

Watersports

Events

Favorites

Painkillers also for amateurs: “Ibuprofen like Smarties”

From the Bundesliga to the district league: medication abuse is apparently the order of the day in German football. This is the conclusion reached by the ARD documentary “Secret Matter Doping - Hit the Pill”.

Suggestions

Comments (0)