Canada's Beckie calls for better funding and research to tackle injury crisis in women's game

MANCHESTER, England : Canada and Portland Thorns forward Janine Beckie has joined the growing chorus calling for better research into the prevalence of injuries in women's soccer, saying that alarm bells would ring if their male counterparts were suffering the same fate.    

    The 28-year-old, who helped Canada capture gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is among a group of players who will miss the Women's World Cup that kicks off on July 20 after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her knee.

    England captain and Arsenal centre-back Leah Williamson last week became the latest marquee player - and third for Arsenal this season along with Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema - to rupture an ACL.     

Spain's Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas, Simone Magill of Northern Ireland and France striker Marie-Antoinette Katoto have also damaged ACLs in the past year.

"I do believe that if the same thing happened even with Arsenal's men's side with probably their three best players, that should be enough for a: 'Why is this happening? Look into this,'" Beckie told Reuters.

    "I think that a lot of people have boiled it down for so long to 'Oh, it's just more common in women, and a common injury in women's soccer.' but it seems like there's been this massive jump in the amount that it's happening now. I don't know what the reason is but someone needs to figure it out."

    Studies have found women in sports that involve sudden deceleration or changing direction such as soccer are up to six times more likely to suffer an ACL injury than men. Part of the problem is that there is no gender-specific research into the issue, said Alex Culvin of global players' union FIFPRO.

    "Women are often viewed as little men, if you like, and the