UEFA Medical Regulations

1.01These regulations apply whenever expressly referred to by specific regulations governing a competition to be played under the auspices of UEFA.

1.02They govern:

2.01In these regulations, the use of the masculine form refers equally to the feminine.

2.02For the purpose of these regulations, the following definitions apply: Advanced life support (ALS) ambulance An ambulance equipped to provide the highest possible level of emergency medical care. As a minimum the ambulance must contain sufficient equipment for resuscitation, as well as equipment with which to manage life-threatening conditions. Automated external defibrillator (AED) A portable, easy-to-use medical device that can analyse the heart's rhythm and, if necessary, deliver an electrical shock, or defibrillation, to help the heart reestablish an effective rhythm. Concussion Charter A pledge drawn up by the UEFA Medical Committee and signed by the team doctor, head coach and team representative of every club or national team that qualifies for a UEFA competition, with the aim of reinforcing the importance of good practice in concussion recognition and management, highlighting the concussion procedures to be followed at all UEFA matches and promoting the education of players, coaches and staff about concussion and the procedures in force at UEFA games. Echocardiography A diagnostic test that uses ultrasound waves to create an image of the heart muscle and reveal any abnormalities. Electrocardiogram (ECG) A test to measure the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time, primarily used to detect heart disorders. Emergency medical bag A receptacle that can easily be transported by one person and is large enough to hold all the required pitchside medical equipment. Host The club, national association or other entity hosting a UEFA match or competition. Match official A referee or other match official as defined in the IFAB Laws of the Game and the FIFA Futsal Laws of the Game respectively. Medical room A room in the match stadium/hall that is prepared and reserved for the medical treatment of players, team officials, the match officials and match officers. Paramedic A qualified medical technician, nurse or equivalent (as recognised in the country) trained to provide ALS treatment and to recognise and manage lifethreatening conditions. Pitchside emergency doctor A physician trained to provide ALS treatment and to recognise and manage lifethreatening conditions. Referee team The group of match officials appointed to officiate at a specific match. Senior competition The highest level of competition, where no age restrictions apply. Stadium/hall medical coordinator The person with overall responsibility for the provision of medical services within a stadium/hall for a specific match, in principale with a medical background. Therapeutic use exemption (TUE) An authorisation to use a substance or method that would otherwise be prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Code. 8 I - General Provisions II Medical examination of players

3.01The examinations and tests set out in Article 4, in Paragraph 5.01 and in Annex A.2.3 are mandatory for all players participating in UEFA competitions.

3.02The examinations and tests set out in Paragraph 5.02, in Annex A.2.4, in Article 6 and in Article 7 are mandatory for all players participating in all stages of all UEFA competitions except for the qualifying rounds of futsal competitions, youth national team football competitions and the UEFA Regions’ Cup, where they remain strongly recommended.

3.03All mandatory examinations and tests must be completed before the player is first registered to compete in the relevant UEFA competition and the results must be included in the player’s medical record. UEFA may at any time ask to be provided with the results of such medical examinations and/or tests.

4.01Every player must be in possession of a complete medical history that is updated at least annually and complies with the requirements set out in Annex A.1.

4.02Medical records must be kept up to date throughout the season and remain in the player’s possession. It is the duty of the team doctor to record all medication administered to a player and enter the information in the player's medical record.

5.01A general physical examination must be conducted annually and must cover all medically relevant organ and function systems as set out in Annex A.2.1.

5.02Neurological baseline screening of brain functions must be conducted annually in accordance with the requirements set out in Annex A.2.2.

5.03Special cardiological examinations must be conducted as set out in Annex A.2.3, in Annex A.2.4 and in Annex A.2.5.

5.04A symptom-limited exercise ECG is strongly recommended as part of the precompetition medical examination of all players over the age of 35. Any findings indicative of cardiac disease, especially coronary artery disease, should be followed up by the player's medical team.

6.01Comprehensive laboratory screening must be conducted with the informed consent of the player and in accordance with national legislation (on confidentiality, discrimination, etc.) including the relevant parameters as set out in Annex A.3.

7.01A comprehensive orthopaedic examination must be conducted annually, including functional tests of the complete locomotor system. 10 II - Medical examination of players III Medical examination of match officials

8.01The medical records, examinations and tests set out in Article 4, in Paragraph 5.01, in Paragraph 5.03, in Article 6 and in Article 7 are mandatory for all match officials participating in UEFA competitions and must be organised and conducted under the responsibility of the match official’s national association.

8.02All examinations and tests must be completed before the start of the season and registered in the match official's medical record. UEFA may at any time ask for confirmation from the relevant national association that all examinations and tests have been completed.

8.03A symptom-limited exercise ECG is strongly recommended as part of the precompetition medical examination of all match officials over the age of 35. Any findings indicative of cardiac disease, especially coronary artery disease, should be followed up by the match official’s local medical team. IV Match-related medical provisions

9.01Every team must appoint at least one team doctor who is responsible for providing medical support to their team during all training and matches. The team doctor must:

10.01The president/CEO, head coach and team doctor of every team that qualifies for a UEFA competition must sign and implement the UEFA Concussion Charter (Annex C).

11.01For all UEFA competitions, cooling/drinking breaks may be implemented if high temperatures are expected as set out in Annex D. 12 IV - Match-related medical provisions V Minimum medical requirements to be fulfilled by the host for players, team officials, the referee team and match officers

12.01The minimum medical requirements stipulated in this chapter for the treatment of players, team officials, the referee team and match officers must be fulfilled by the hosts in all UEFA competitions, until the final tournament or final, for which specific medical requirements are produced and shared by the UEFA administration ahead of the relevant tournament/match.

12.02Whenever medication set out in Annex B is required and not allowed in the country of a match, the host must provide a valid substitute medication.

12.03All the items listed in Annex B must be provided by the host and in place in the stadium/hall on matchday -1 and matchday. The match delegate will verify that the minimum medical requirements have been fulfilled by 60 minutes before the first team's matchday -1 training session and between 120 minutes and 90 minutes before kick-off on matchday. The stadium/hall medical coordinator must be available on both days, to accompany the UEFA match delegate during these inspections. Even if no matchday -1 training session is held at the match stadium/ hall, the stadium/hall medical coordinator is strongly encouraged to organise a matchday -1 inspection with the delegate to ensure that everything is in place for matchday.

12.04If the referee team trains at the match stadium/hall on matchday -1 in competitions listed in Paragraph 14.01b) and Paragraph 15.02b), the host must ensure there is a medical doctor present with the pitchside emergency equipment listed in Annex B.1, even if the teams are not training at the match stadium/hall or not at the same time.

12.05If UEFA or the host decide that a planned matchday -1 training session in one of the competitions listed in Paragraph 14.01b) and Paragraph 15.02b) will be relocated to a venue other than the match stadium/hall, for reasons of pitch quality or for any other reason, the host is responsible for ensuring that the same level of medical services is provided and the same minimum medical requirements are met at the alternative venue.

12.06If a team plans to hold their matchday -1 training session, or any other training session on the days before or after the match, at a venue other than the match stadium/hall, it is the team's own responsibility to ensure the appropriate medical care.

13.01The medical equipment listed in Annex B.1 and an emergency medical bag distinct from the one required by Paragraph 14.02 must be available at pitchside for matchday-1 training sessions and on matchday.

14.01One fully equipped ALS ambulance, staffed by at least one paramedic and a driver, must be present for the sole use of the players, team officials, referee team and match officers:

14.02The ambulance must contain a fully equipped emergency medical bag containing a portable oxygen cylinder and an AED defibrillator distinct from the ones included in the pitchside medical equipment. It must be positioned in an area that best permits quick egress from the pitch area and/or dressing rooms in an emergency. It must be in position:

14.03The host must confirm the location of the ambulance to the team doctors on their arrival at the stadium/hall.

14.04For matchday -1 training sessions in competitions other than those listed in Paragraph 14.01b), the host must ensure that an ambulance staffed with at least one paramedic and a driver is available within 15 minutes of the training venue in order to ensure emergency medical evacuation without delay. If this cannot be guaranteed, an ALS ambulance must be present on-site.

14.05For all other training sessions held in connection with a UEFA match or tournament, the host should ensure that an ALS ambulance, staffed by at least one paramedic and a driver, is available at a suitable location to permit emergency medical evacuation from the venue without delay.

14.06Where ambulances are required at the stadium/hall, private ambulances should be used when public ones cannot be guaranteed, in order to secure the presence of the ambulance for the required duration. 14 V - Minimum medical requirements to be fulfilled by the host for players, team

15.01The stadium/hall medical coordinator is the person in overall charge of medical services at the stadium/hall. They must:

15.02The host is responsible for ensuring that one pitchside emergency doctor and stretcher team are present and in position at the latest from the time the teams arrive at the stadium/hall, until their departure:

15.03The pitchside emergency doctor must have a good knowledge of English or must speak the languages of both teams.

15.04The pitchside emergency doctor:

15.05The pitchside emergency doctor role may be performed by one of the team doctors only in very exceptional cases and with the prior approval of UEFA's chief medical officer or medical unit, and the agreement of both teams. Team doctors performing the role of pitchside emergency doctor must be trained to provide ALS treatment and to recognise and manage life-threatening conditions.

15.06The stretcher team must be composed of at least two trained carriers, who must:

16.01An emergency medical room must be provided for all matches in UEFA competitions. This medical room must be easily accessible from the pitch and the players' dressing rooms and must comply with the medical equipment requirements set out in Annex B.2.

17.01The following information must be sent by the host to the visiting team’s medical staff and to the UEFA match delegate at least two weeks before a match. Exceptionally, if the information is not available, for example because of the timing of the draw, it must be sent to the visiting team and the UEFA match delegate no later than two days before the visiting team’s travel day.

18.01The host must provide the UEFA match delegate, at least two weeks before the first match in any tournament, with the name and contact details of the tournament doctor, who must be:

18.02A detailed plan must be issued to UEFA at least three months in advance of the tournament, providing information on the following for matches, training sessions, hotels and team excursions:

19.01Any breach of these regulations may be penalised by UEFA in accordance with the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations.

20.01If there is any discrepancy in the interpretation of the English, French or German versions of these regulations, the English version prevails.

21.01All annexes form an integral part of these regulations. The UEFA Medical Committee is empowered by the UEFA Executive Committee to amend these annexes at any time, based on the most recent medical and scientific evidence.

22.01These regulations were adopted by the UEFA Executive Committee on 16 December 2024 and come into force on 1 January 2025. For the UEFA Executive Committee: Aleksander Čeferin Theodore Theodoridis President General Secretary Lausanne, 16 December 2024 18 VI - Final provisions