Former Liverpool and England defender Stephen Warnock has revealed he concealed his history of epileptic seizures from the club’s medical staff for fear of being released. The 44-year-old, who made 67 appearances for the Reds after breaking through the academy, admitted he never disclosed his condition despite experiencing his first seizure at school and his last at age 14. Warnock, who now works as a pundit for BBC 5 Live, stated that the lingering worry of another episode kept him silent during his professional career.
Former Reds defender reveals he feared release if medical staff knew his history.
The revelation comes in response to an interview with Hull City midfielder Matt Crooks, who has openly discussed living with epilepsy. Warnock’s admission highlights the significant pressure players face regarding medical transparency, as he feared that disclosing his childhood condition would end his professional prospects. Although he had not suffered a seizure since his early teens, the anxiety surrounding the potential for a recurrence prevented him from informing Liverpool’s medical team.
This disclosure serves as a critical discussion point for sports medicine and player welfare, emphasizing the need for safer environments where athletes can disclose health conditions without fear of career-ending repercussions. Warnock’s story underscores the psychological burden carried by top-flight athletes and the importance of destigmatizing neurological conditions within professional football.
Source: The Independent Sport
