UEFA announces multi-year Haleon partnership

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has announced a multi-year partnership with Haleon, a consumer health company.

Haleon will serve as UEFA Medical’s first-ever Health Partner. The partnership will see Haleon exchange knowledge with UEFA and work towards strengthening standards and providing pain management guidance, thereby helping players with health and recovery.

The two parties will also work on shedding light on the lack of clear, science-based guidance available beyond elite sport and generating and sharing evidence to support clinicians, teams, and players at all levels of the game. UEFA and Haleon will work on developing expert-reviewed educational initiatives, such as webinars and digital learning modules, which will be designed to “embed trusted, evidence led approaches to pain management into everyday clinical practice across Europe.”

Dr Zoran Bahtijarevic, Chief of Medical and Anti-Doping at UEFA, commented:

“This partnership with Haleon reflects our shared interest in advancing the scientific understanding of pain management in football. By working together on research and knowledge exchange, we have the opportunity to further develop evidence based guidance that supports clinicians and medical teams in their day to day practice. Strengthening the quality and clarity of scientific evidence remains central to UEFA Medical’s mission, and this collaboration provides a valuable framework to continue that work.”

Eran Gefen, VP and Head of Medical and Scientific Affairs, OTC, Haleon, added:

“Haleon’s role in this collaboration is to bring medical expertise that strengthens the scientific guidance available to healthcare professionals managing pain in active individuals. By combining Haleon’s trusted pain-relief expertise and portfolio of pain-relief and sensorial relief brands – recommended by consumers and healthcare professionals alike – with UEFA’s specialist knowledge, we can provide clearer, evidence informed advice that supports self-care, a safe return to movement and helps people choose pain solutions that are right for their needs.”