Sri Lanka’s national football team will face a significant challenge as they prepare for their upcoming matches against Cambodia, with head coach Andy Morrison set to miss both games due to a serious health issue.
In a press release issued on August 14, 2024, the Football Federation of Sri Lanka (FFSL) confirmed that Morrison sustained a neck injury during the Brunei games. Upon returning to Sri Lanka, he underwent medical examinations, including an X-ray and MRI, which revealed damage to the discs in his neck.
The FFSL disclosed that Morrison sought treatment in the UK, where he was diagnosed with a “focal left-sided C6/7 disc prolapse with compression of his left C7 nerve.” Unfortunately, his initial procedure was unsuccessful, leading to a deterioration of his condition. His UK consultant has now advised him to undergo surgery, with a recovery period estimated at four to six weeks.
FFSL President Jaswar Umar emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “It has come to our attention that false information is being spread by certain individuals with ulterior motives regarding Sri Lanka National Team Coach Andrew Morrison and his absence from the upcoming national team training camp.” He condemned these actions and urged all stakeholders to disregard such misinformation.
In the interim, the FFSL is coordinating with the Aspire Foundation of Qatar to ensure the national team is adequately prepared for their matches against Cambodia. Interim coaching arrangements are being made to maintain the team’s momentum during Morrison’s recovery.
The FFSL extended its best wishes to Morrison for a swift recovery and assured that his health condition would be closely monitored. The federation is taking necessary measures to protect the integrity of the team and its coaching staff amid these challenging circumstances.
