Strengthening European football medicine with landmark education programme in Armenia

Staged in Armenian capital Yerevan, the event celebrated collaboration, shared learning and a continent wide drive to protect player health, showcasing how modern football medicine continues to evolve through education and exchange.

UEFA chief medical officer Zoran Bahtijarevic praised both the programme’s impact and the Football Federation of Armenia’s (FFA) role as host, emphasising the value of expertise shared across borders.

"Events like this demonstrate how education, collaboration and shared standards can directly improve player safety across Europe," Bahtijarevic said. "We are not here to teach the doctors how to do their daily job, but to help them disseminate this collective knowledge to other doctors and physios in their respective countries, reaching hundreds and thousands more all over Europe.

"We were truly impressed by the level of organisation, professionalism and hospitality in Yerevan – Armenia has created an excellent environment for learning and exchange, and this programme will have a lasting impact."

His words underscored the spirit of the week: a united European football medical community working together to elevate care standards for players at every level.

A community connected through clinical excellence

The FDEP event welcomed doctors from all 55 European national football associations, featuring practical workshops, case based discussions and hands on clinical sessions, as participants strengthened their expertise in diagnosing and treating some of the most common injuries in elite football – from muscle and ankle issues to knee and hip/groin pathologies.

The goal was clear: enhance rapid, accurate decision making on the pitch, ensure safer return to play strategies and improve long-term player care.

A central theme of the programme is its "Teach the Teacher" approach, ensuring the knowledge gained in Yerevan can be taken back and distributed to medical teams in every nation.

Alongside clinical development, doctors also received the latest updates on anti doping responsibilities, reinforcing European football's dedication to integrity and athlete protection.

Armenia’s warm welcome

For the FFA, hosting the event was both a point of pride and a milestone for the country’s sports medicine community, with minister of health Anahit Avanesyan also in attendance.

"It is a great honour for us to welcome you to Yerevan. While the season may not show Armenia at its sunniest, I believe the warmth you feel here comes from our people," said FFA president Armen Melikbekyan. "This event lays a strong foundation, and I hope it is not the last time you visit our country."

For Narek Vanesyan, head of the association's medical department, the week marked the realisation of a long-term vision.

"This is a landmark event for Armenian football medicine. We applied to host the programme two years ago, and seeing it become a reality is extremely rewarding," he said. "Having representatives from UEFA member associations in Yerevan creates a unique opportunity for knowledge exchange, professional growth and long-term cooperation."

Building a lasting legacy for European football

As the programme concluded, attendees departed with clear strategies for strengthening medical structures within their associations – including guidance on how to use UEFA HatTrick medical funding to implement national education initiatives.

The Football Doctor Education Programme continues to stand as one of UEFA’s cornerstone initiatives for long term player welfare, medical excellence and sustainable development in the European game.