Football FA Urged to Mandate Cardiac Arrest Training After Teen's Death

Friends of Adam Ankers, a 17-year-old footballer who died after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest, are advocating for the Football Association (FA) to implement mandatory life-saving training. Adam collapsed during a match in January 2024 and tragically passed away in hospital after sustaining brain damage. His death highlighted an undiagnosed heart condition and a critical failure to administer CPR or use a defibrillator promptly.

A coroner reviewing Adam's case has formally requested the FA to make sudden cardiac arrest training compulsory for at least one individual on the football pitch, particularly for coaches and referees. This recommendation follows findings that a missed opportunity to provide immediate care contributed to his death.

Close friends George Callie and Tom Gough have shared their distress and lingering fear following Adam's passing, emphasizing the importance of accessible training. They believe that ensuring some personnel on the pitch are trained in CPR and defibrillator use could save lives.

The FA has stated it is reviewing the coroner's findings and recommendations. Currently, the organization offers a voluntary online training module covering cardiac arrest recognition, CPR, and defibrillator usage. The charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) reports that over 600 individuals under 35 in the UK die annually from sudden cardiac arrest due to undiagnosed heart conditions.

Adam's parents are supporting CRY's campaign for increased funding for research and a national cardiac screening program for all individuals over 14. A charity football match is now held annually in Adam's honor, with his friends seeking to transform this tragedy into a catalyst for life-saving change in the sport.