Campaigners call for heading to be banned in football
Heading Out want to see the ban to protect players from dementia
Last updated 28th Aug 2023
The families of two Scottish footballers who died from dementia are calling for heading the ball during games to be banned.
The campaign is being launched today by Heading Out, which was founded by dementia campaigner, Mike Edwards.
The former journalist retired early to care for his mother, who struggles with the illness.
He said: “Heading the ball is a slow but steady killer and has to be removed from the game.
“We learn from an early age not to handle the ball, surely we can learn not to head it either.”
The campaign is being supported by family members of former players diagnosed with dementia, including Gail Pirie, daughter of Scotland’s Argentina World Cup manager Ally McLeod, and widow of Dundee United’s Frank Kopel, Amanda.
Gail Pirie said, ‘We as a family have no doubt that dad’s Alzheimer’s was caused by repeated heading the ball and it must be stopped to protect future players.’
Echoing her views, Amanda Kopel said, ‘The game has a duty of care to players. I wouldn’t wish what Frank went through on my worst enemy and the rules have to change.”
Mr Edwards believes banning the practice will save lives, adding: “Scotland has led the way by banning children from heading the ball in training and adult players from heading in the 24 hours before and after a game.
“I’d like to see the practice banned altogether after the 2030 World Cup, which I think is a reasonable deadline.”
The campaign is also supporter by NHS consultant, Dr Michael Crawford, whose father Bobby is living with dementia after a career as a defender in the Scottish Junior Leagues.
He said: “It’s beyond dispute now that heading the ball causes CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy) otherwise known as a brain injury and it’s causing problems for players in later life. Sometimes my dad played three games on a Saturday and headed the ball a lot. His dementia diagnosis reflects that all too clearly.”
Headed Out is being funded by sales of Michael’s third book, You’re Seeing It, and he has secured meetings with some of the game’s top officials, including UEFA’s medical director, to discuss the group’s aims.
More details about the organisation can be found at their website.