Football: NZF doctor calls for Phoenix to raise issue of heat exhaustion

Andrew Durante and Emmanuel Muscat of the Phoenix. Photo / Getty Images.

New Zealand Football's head doctor is pushing for the Wellington Phoenix to raise the issue of heat exhaustion with Football Federation Australia.

Coach Ernie Merrick put the 2-1 loss in the A-League to the Brisbane Roar in Cairns down to having to play in 33 degree heat and 60 percent humidity, which saw Tom Doyle vomit before kickoff.

NZF doctor Mark Fulcher says the combination of the heat and humidity should have seen the match pushed back.

He said while heat exhaustion is a common problem worldwide, the Phoenix's raising of the subject was needed to generate an important discussion.

Fulcher warned that every year in the US someone dies in pre-season and collegiate sport and it was important there was growing awareness of the problem.

He added that ideally A-League matches should never be played in such harsh conditions again, pointing out the Phoenix had just one day to adapt to the North Queensland heat, and adding that the game should have been pushed back to later in the evening.

Merrick was fuming at the 33 degree temperature and 60 percent humidity in Cairns.

"It was a decision that was obviously made by somebody who has never played football," Merrick said of the early afternoon kick-off.

Fulcher has encouraged the Phoenix to raise the issue with the FFA to ensure a repeat doesn't happen.