PFA urges FA to ban headers from under-10 football matches amid brain injury fears
Experts want to study effects on brains that are still developing
THE Professional Footballer’s Association has called for a ban on under-10s heading balls because of brain injury fears.
Around 250 ex-players have been diagnosed with serious degenerative brain conditions in recent years.
West Brom and England footballer Jeff Astle died in 2002 from a brain trauma caused by heading heavy leather footballs.
Three of England’s 1966 World Cup squad — Nobby Stiles, Martin Peters and Ray Wilson — have Alzheimer’s.
PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said football’s governing bodies should consider a ban.
A study from the University of Stirling found heading a ball could cause memory problems for 24 hours.
Experts want to study implications on younger players whose brains are still developing.
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Dr Willie Stewart told the Daily Telegraph: “Personally I think it is probably not a good idea to be exposing young brains.”
The Scottish Youth Football Association has promised to review guidelines. A spokesman for the FA said: “We are assessing research projects in this area.”