Can you "fail" a (transfer) medical test?

[Ealing Bee]

I have heard it said by several members of this site that you cannot "fail" a medical.

I'm never quite sure whether this is just a linguistic thing, or a substantive matter.

Anyhow, it obviously has relevance to the Benrahama/WHU saga, but Said isn't the only Bee who's had to face this during his career.

Published: Nov 28, 2014

Wolves' Ivan Toney deal failed on a medical

Wolves pulled out of a £500,000 deal to sign Northampton Town striker Ivan Toney because he failed a medical.

[The club] confirmed the Toney transfer fell through, after an undisclosed problem showed up with the 18-year-old striker.
Wolves declined to go into details on the exact nature of the problem but confirmed everything was agreed on the deal.
Head coach Kenny Jackett said: "There's a number of things, but it didn't come off. The exact nature of it has to stay confidential, but the interest isn't there now.
"We wish the player all the best and we move on. I wouldn't say the door is completely closed but he won't be coming in this time."
Wolves' Ivan Toney deal failed on a medical

Incidentally, had Ivan signed, on time, he would have been available to play for Wolves in their next game. Against Brentford.

Meanwhile, here is a photograph of Ivan aged 18, in Northampton colours:

 

[BFC1997]

When you buy a car, you look it over, you check it’s service history, MOT history. All of this informs your purchasing decision.

If you spot something wrong that is absolutely critical, then you might choose to walk away or adjust the terms on which you are willing to negotiate. This could be deemed a ‘failure’ but in reality, there are no set criteria aside from your own.

Its the same with player transfers. Some players get signed without medicals. Some clubs walk away at the last minute or adjust deals due to irregularities with medicals.

 

[hairman]

I have heard it said by several members of this site that you cannot "fail" a medical.

I'm never quite sure whether this is just a linguistic thing, or a substantive matter.

Anyhow, it obviously has relevance to the Benrahama/WHU saga, but Said isn't the only Bee who's had to face this during his career.

Published: Nov 28, 2014

Wolves' Ivan Toney deal failed on a medical

Wolves pulled out of a £500,000 deal to sign Northampton Town striker Ivan Toney because he failed a medical.

[The club] confirmed the Toney transfer fell through, after an undisclosed problem showed up with the 18-year-old striker.
Wolves declined to go into details on the exact nature of the problem but confirmed everything was agreed on the deal.
Head coach Kenny Jackett said: "There's a number of things, but it didn't come off. The exact nature of it has to stay confidential, but the interest isn't there now.
"We wish the player all the best and we move on. I wouldn't say the door is completely closed but he won't be coming in this time."
Wolves' Ivan Toney deal failed on a medical

Incidentally, had Ivan signed, on time, he would have been available to play for Wolves in their next game. Against Brentford.

Meanwhile, here is a photograph of Ivan aged 18, in Northampton colours:

I swear he used to be in Cameo. Word Up.

 

[JANORAK]

Is it some insurance requirement? I mean there’s nothing to say you can’t sign a player with a ‘failed’ medical, or even without one at all. You wouldn’t be able to get him insured though, I guess.
Andy Feeley comes to mind. Signed after a trial, and lasted a couple of seasons. Even Wiki states he was never fully fit with us...

 

[wanderer paul]

You cannot fail one. The medical team highlights any discrepancies in any party of the player that could cause issues now or later on. It’s then up to the buying Club to discuss the issues and new terms or pull out of the deal.

 

[rebus]

Or you can do what the club did in 2003/2004 and just not have them.

 

[WARFIELD BEE]

I assume medical issues re SB are cleared up as he is expected to be on the bench for them at the weekend.

 

[Ealing Bee]

... there are no set criteria aside from your own.

But surely it's a basic criterion that a player should be fit, strong and healthy enough to play 30+ games a season?

Whether there be a specific issue which may prevent it, or more generally the player not possessing the overall robustness and injury record to go the distance.

In the end, WHU wanted to sign Said B, but didn't following an issue with his medical. Everyone expects it will be cleared up, so it can be made permanent, but how else do you explain it being converted to a loan etc, had he not "failed" WHU's medical test?

If nothing else, he certainly can't be said to have passed it.

 

[Vid]

It's a test. Can you fail a test ? Probably not these days as it would be upset the candidate. You have to say unfortunately you don't meet our criteria.

 

[grutter]

It's a test. Can you fail a test ? Probably not these days as it would be upset the candidate. You have to say unfortunately you don't meet our criteria.

Remember - there is no such thing as fail. It's a First Attempt In Learning!

 

[mhead bee]

But surely it's a basic criterion that a player should be fit, strong and healthy enough to play 30+ games a

Not necessarily, I don’t believe anyone bought wood gate expecting that, they probably got him on the cheap hoping they might get 15-20 if they were lucky.

The easiest way to get your head round this if you are struggling is.

Ask yourself what would constitute a pass and who decides what that criteria is. Does the govt issue a set of standards like they do with a car MOT?

Player must have 20/20 eyesight, must have two perfect knees, feet must be the same size, resting heart rate must be under 48 etc etc.

If the player passes you can buy him, if he doesn’t then I suppose he has to retire.

What actually happens is the car has 4 good tyres, a good engine but the break discs are 50% gone. Can you take the risk or do you say to the seller, I want it but its a bit knackered and will cost us some money soon so we offer you 70% of your asking price. Alternatively it’s a piece of sh*t that won’t last 2 days we don’t want it so we are pulling out.

 

[Mr Tree]

The important thing is, @Ealing Bee, that it's not a standardised yes/no pass/fail thing, but it's more like a 0-100 scale, and you set the line where you want.

 

[Banana]

It's a test. Can you fail a test ? Probably not these days as it would be upset the candidate. You have to say unfortunately you don't meet our criteria.

It's called a "Medical", not a "Medical Test". If it was a test then there might be a pass/fail, but it's not you see. There's no word "test". So a medical is not a test. It's a medical.

I hope that explains it.

 

[Hullbee]

Bloke we employed failed the drug and test before he started so yes you can fail medical testing. Admittedly I thought the new regimes decision to drug and alcohol test all new employees seems rather over the top when most current employees would fail a drug and alcohol test

 

[horshambees]

Radamael Falcao was recalled by Monaco whilst on loan at Chelsea and failed the medical at his parent club. He also failed one at Atletico Madrid too.
The one I remember was Asa Hartford.
About to join Leeds from WBA ,in 1971,and during his medical the doctors discovered a hole in the heart.
Transfer was off as Leeds ran a mile from him.
A medical will also ascertain wether a bad injury could recur or not.
I can imagine that Scott Hogan's medical would concentrate around his knees and wether or not he can survive the contract or not.
The fact that Benrahma failed his medical at a club that passed Jack Wilshire and Andy Carroll means lack of funds or they have properly tightened up and some.
Can they fail the medical?
Many have.
Many will.
All part of the gamble of the transfer market.

 

[Ealing Bee]

It's called a "Medical", not a "Medical Test". If it was a test then there might be a pass/fail, but it's not you see. There's no word "test". So a medical is not a test. It's a medical.

I hope that explains it.

Nope.

I'm with 'Horsham' on this one (post #15).

 

[Mr Tree]

Nope.

I'm with 'Horsham' on this one (post #15).

Why ask then, if uninterested in the answer?

 

[Ealing Bee]

Why ask then, if uninterested in the answer?

I was genuinely puzzled.

And having heard both sides, I am now on the side which believes you can "fail a medical".