The present investigation analyses all the acute soccer injuries recorded in Finland during one year (1980). The mean follow-up time was 18 months. The calculated yearly injury incidence was 5.8%. No significant difference in the injury incidences between the two sexes could be detected. A major part, 64% of the injuries were located in the lower extremities. Fractures and dislocations accounted for 11% of all injuries. One quarter of the injuries were classified as mild, causing a playing disability shorter than a week. Most injuries occurred through physical contact with another player (p less than 0.001). The calculated median time of absence from practice after injury was 4 weeks.