Speaking out: Gary Pallister has spoken in the past about the use of anti-inflammatories

Previous surveys at tournaments had revealed that many players were using large numbers of pain killing and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).

But the results, published recently in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, show the use of such drugs is on the increase. The BJSM said that ‘during the tournament 71.7 per cent of the 736  players took medication and 60.3 per cent took painkilling agents at least once’.

It concluded: ‘The use of medication reported by the team physicians in international football competition is increasing. Systematic use — medication for every match — appeared to be the norm in certain teams. This has implications for player health.

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