In October 2019, research which identified that there is a positive correlation between footballers heading a ball and the development of industrial diseases, has gained a significant amount of public interest. As this long-suspected link between football and brain damage has now been confirmed, it is now a fact that professional footballers are three and a half times more likely to suffer from dementia and other serious neurological diseases.
Whilst this is a new discovery, the research into this field has been requested for many years. Since 2002, the family of former professional footballer, Jeff Astle, have campaigned for research to be conducted into the link between heading footballs and brain trauma. Astle suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) which is a specific type of dementia which is associated with repeated head trauma. The campaign began after a coroner described Astle’s illness as an Industrial Disease which was a result of repeatedly heading heavy leather footballs. Whilst Astle’s family’s campaign does not aim to “ban” heading, they hope to raise awareness of brain injury in sport and to provide players with the right to make informed choices as to whether they use this technique or not.
The research was published almost 18 years after the death of Astle. Since such research has been published, the number of reports implicating the link between repeatedly heading a football and the development of brain disease, have increased. This increase has helped to further establish the impacts, for example, it has been found that heading may lead to degeneration of brain cells which results in players suffering from moderate to severe concussion-like effects, and in turn, impairing cognitive performance.
As this issue comes to light, steps must be taken to prevent such diseases and to discover treatments for those suffering. As more victims are stepping forward, this does not place the sport in a bad light but instead helps to support the long-term survivability of the sport and to make 21st century football brain friendly. Numerous changes to the game have been proposed such as:
- A total ban on heading for anyone aged under 18 years old.
- Children below the age of 12 should play with lighter, plastic footballs.
- Children below the age of 12 should play a modified version of the game known as “kick-ball”.
The Football Association (FA) have claimed that there is not yet enough evidence to change any aspect of the game, however, as more evidence comes to light, they will continue to monitor and reassess all aspects of the game. It can be argued that this issue is more commonly associated with footballers who played during the time of leather footballs which are said to have weighed as much as a “sack of bricks”. Unlike the footballs currently used, the previous leather footballs which were big and heavy, would sometimes weigh three and a half times more in wet weather. This is supported by the fact that many of the cases which are coming to light are predominately from the families of professional footballers from many years ago.
Going forward it is essential that these claims are taken seriously and that the research into this topic is continued so that the risks of the game can be identified, and steps can be taken to minimise the risks. By identifying and taking measures of protection we can ensure that football is safe and enjoyable for everyone.
At Hodgkinsons Solicitors Skegness our Industrial Disease Department can assist with a variety of claims for compensation. If you or a loved one have developed an industrial disease and you think that you were owed protection from such risks, call Hodgkinsons on 01754 897150 and a member of the team will assess your claim. For more information you can visit our website at: https://www.hodgkinsons.co.uk/accidents-claims/industrial-disease.