In recent times, there has been a growing exploration into potential connections between heading the football and the development of dementia. In response to this concern, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) and the Premier League have taken a significant step by introducing a new fund dedicated to brain health.
Under this initiative, the PFA has committed an initial sum of £1 million to provide support to former football players and their families who have been affected by dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Maheta Molango, the Chief Executive of the PFA, expressed the importance of this endeavor, stating, “This marks a crucial advancement. We firmly believe that the responsibility for addressing this issue lies within the entire football community. This includes ensuring that financial assistance is readily available to former players and families in dire need.”
A group comprising 30 former footballers and their families, including relatives of the 1966 World Cup champion Nobby Stiles, initiated legal action against football’s governing bodies in November. They claimed that these bodies had not done enough to safeguard them from brain injuries. Specifically, they accused the Football Associations of England and Wales, along with the International Football Association Board, of “failing to take reasonable action” to mitigate head impacts.
The PFA and the Premier League have a broader vision in mind, aiming to establish a charitable entity in collaboration with other stakeholders in the football community. This entity intends to serve as a long-term platform for providing support.
Former professional footballers who are members of the PFA and have been diagnosed with neurodegenerative diseases will have the opportunity to seek financial assistance. An independent panel consisting of experts in neurology, nursing, and social care will diligently assess these claims.
Richard Masters, Chief Executive of the Premier League, expressed the league’s commitment to player welfare, stating, “The well-being and care of players have always been a top priority for the Premier League. It is imperative for us to extend our support to this newly established brain health fund.” He also highlighted the fund’s synergy with the longstanding partnership between the Premier League and the PFA.
A recent study conducted by the University of Nottingham, commissioned by the Football Association and the PFA, uncovered a concerning statistic. The research indicated that former footballers are nearly three-and-a-half times more likely to receive a dementia diagnosis compared to the general population. Specifically, 2.8% of retired professional footballers in the study reported medically diagnosed dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases, in contrast to only 0.9% of non-players.
