Understand
Football families urge government action over health risks of heading footballs
Overview
Campaigners and families of former footballers, led by the charity Head Safe Football, have launched a national petition demanding urgent government action to recognise heading footballs as a public health issue. Research shows footballers are three and a half times more likely to die from neurodegenerative diseases. The charity wants heading reduced in training, brain health education embedded in teacher training and PE, and a parliamentary debate, while former players also called for greater financial support for medical care.
Key points
- The charity Head Safe Football launched a national petition calling for heading the ball to be declared a public health issue.
- Research indicates that professional footballers are three and a half times more likely to die from neurodegenerative diseases than the general public.
- The campaign does not seek a complete ban on heading, but urges a reduction in training sessions.
- Head Safe Football was founded by Dr Judith Gates after her husband, former Middlesbrough player Bill, died from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
- Former defender Gary Pallister highlighted the need for better financial support from football authorities for former players suffering from brain diseases.
- The Football Association stated it has banned headers for under-11s, issued guidelines, and funded research, while the PFA and Premier League established a £1m brain health fund.