Man City boss Roberto Mancini is shocked the Premier League has not paid greater attention to the need for medical screening.
City boss wants medical tests every six months in the Premier League
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is shocked the Premier League has not in the past paid greater attention to the need for regular medical screening.
The cardiac arrest of Fabrice Muamba in Saturday's FA Cup game at Tottenham has brought the topic under scrutiny in the worst possible manner.
It was on Monday night confirmed the 23-year-old was able to answer questions and speak in both French and English after his heart stopped for two hours following his collapse.
And although Mancini is relieved, he cannot understand how the Premier League, which is to review its medical procedures, has allowed a situation that puts the safety of players at risk.
"I was really worried on Sunday," the Italian said on Tuesday morning. "Today, I have read he has improved and I am very happy for him and his family.
"But if you want to know my opinion, it is that here in England, the best championship in the world, everything is fantastic. But we need to improve the medical side for the players.
Important
"We need to screen the players often, maybe two times a year and they have to be more accurate, because they don't do this.
"When I saw our medical two years ago, I was really worried. I said we need to do them better."
Past problems in Italy led to a far more stringent series of medical tests than the ones which players must undergo in England.
After replacing Mark Hughes as City boss in 2009, Mancini could not believe the Premier League, with all its money and claims of being the best league in the world, did not operate to the same standards.
"It is impossible that a young guy could die on the pitch, because they didn't do a medical accurately," he said. "I want all the players, not just ours, to have more accurate medicals.
"And always, not once a year. Every six months. This is really important for the players, because it is totally different today than it was 20 years ago. It is very important.
"What happened to Muamba and other players in the past can't happen again."
