On a more positive note, Gouttebarge said that nearly 80% of players surveyed reported that they had access to sufficient resources and support for their mental health, often through their national player associations.
FIFPRO general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann said they were not trying to make a special case for footballers.
“We are very conscious that this is a reflection of a problem in broader society than and there is no suggestion that it is more severe for our members,” said Baer-Hoffmann.
“Footballers are more similar to average society than most people think, and that is simply because of the misconceptions about how players live.”
He reiterated that many footballers lived a precarious financial existence at the best of times.
“The average contract length is under two years and the average income is close to that of the general public,” he said. “Many are incredibly dependent on their footballing skills and are not prepared for what would come after.”(Supersport).