Public back Parliamentary inquiry into link between heading a football and dementia, finds major new poll
The public back a Parliamentary inquiry into the link between heading a football and degenerative neurocognitive diseases such as dementia finds a major new poll commissioned by the footballing think tank, FIFA Ethics and Regulations Watch (FERW).
Asked, “Some pressure groups have called for Parliament to look at the matter of consistently heading the ball and potential health issues later on in life associated with this.
Following this information, which statement, if any, best describes your views? Over a third (36 per cent) agreed that "It seems sensible that parliament look at this important safety issue, even if the FA do so” and over one in five (23 per cent) agreed that MPs should look at this issue, if the FA doesn’t.
Fewer than a quarter, (23 per cent) of those who responded, thought Parliament should not “interfere in the administration of football” even over safety fears, and 19 per cent of respondents were not sure.
The Censuswide Poll, of over 2,000 (2,011) nationally representative UK adults, including around half (54 per cent) who identified as football or sports fans, found strong support for further research, with 36 per cent of respondents agreeing that more research is needed such as looking at how heading the ball impacts on amateur players and female professionals . Just over a third, (34 per cent) agreed that Football’s authorities, such as the FA and Premier League, should be guided by the science and research. This compared to just under one in six, (15 per cent) who agreed with the statement, “Heading the balling is part of the game and should not be restricted including in training”.
Alistair Thompson, the UK Campaign Director for FERW commented: “It clear the public support our campaign to ask Parliament to scrutinise the limited research into the link between heading the ball, degenerative neurocognitive diseases such as dementia and current safeguards, which some have argued are inadequate.
"While we welcome and support the prohibition of heading the ball by kids during training, does the evidence support further measures. For example, should players, at whatever level, have mandatory gaps between a session practising heading and similar sessions or match? Are there other precautionary measures or techniques that can be used to reduce the harm associated with heading a ball?
“The simple fact is that many former professional players, coaches and amateur players believe that football’s authorities have not done enough to protect the millions of players in this country and they need to be challenged over this.”
Interestingly the public appear evenly split on the need for further restrictions. Asked, “Last year research suggested a possible link between constantly heading a football and degenerative neurocognitive diseases such as dementia. The research looked at over 7,000 male professional players in Scotland. It found these former players were nearly 3.5 times more likely to go on to contract these conditions. Following the research, the FA and other bodies brought in some restrictions such as banning header training for children.
Following this information, which statement, if any, best describes your views?” - A third, (33 per cent) supported the restrictions but felt they did not go far enough. While, three in ten, (30 per cent), thought the restrictions were about right and one in six (16 per cent) thought, the restrictions were another example of health and safety culture and did not support them.
FERW is releasing the findings of the poll after a group of former professional football players and Parliamentarians joined forces last week to call for an urgent review into the possible link.
In a letter addressed to Oliver Dowden, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, co-ordinated by Mickey Ambrose formally Charton and Chelsea, and signed by Clive Wilson (ex-Chelsea & QPR), Dean Wilkins (ex-Chelsea & Millwall), Vinny Samways (ex-Spurs), Mark McCammon (ex-Charlton), Phil Brown (ex-Hull City Manager), Peter Reid (ex-Everton and England), Viv Anderson (ex-Nottingham Forest and England) and Darren Moore (Doncaster Rovers Manager and ex-West Bromwich Albion), the former players, say: “We are writing to you as former professional footballers, who have played at all levels of the game, including representing our country.
“Last year saw the publication of a landmark study (the FIELD study) that sought to identify whether there was any link between heading the ball and an increase in the incidence of degenerative neurocognitive disease.
“While the report said there was no definitive link, it confirmed that players were three-and-a-half times more likely to die of dementia and other neurological diseases than the general population.
“Following the study’s publication, the FA in parallel with UEFA’s medical committee published new guidelines that apply to all young players.
“Measures included a complete prohibition of header training for children below the age of 12 and a graduated process to headers there-after.
“We welcome these measures but believe they do not go far enough.”
An almost identical letter, signed by a cross-party group of MPs and peers was sent to Julian Knight, the chair of the Digital, Culture Media and Sport Committee, who FERW believe should carry out the inquiry.
Signatories of this letter include former Secretary of State for International Development Hilary Benn, former Labour leader Lord Kinnock, Conservative MP Peter Bone, DUP MP Jim Shannon, Lib Dem MP Daisy Cooper and Labour MPs Grahame Morris and Jamie Stone.
Mr Thompson concluded: “It is time for the FA, PFL, EFL and others to be held to account and justify their position and current guidelines. Are we doing enough to protect current players from the risk of dementia? Are they adequately supporting former players and their families who are wrestling with a diagnosis and treatment of these terrible terminal conditions? If they can honestly put their hand on their heart and say they are, well let them do that in front of Parliament, the public and the media.
“But if they cannot, then they have a duty to spell out clearly what further actions they are taking or plan to take and by when. Again this should be done in public and in a forum where those who run the game can be challenged and made accountable – this is why FERW are calling for a Parliamentary led inquiry.”
ENDS