David Beckham backs group calling on football's leaders to support ex-pros affected by dementia - as the former Red Devils star joins Manchester and Liverpool mayors in call for more action
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David Beckham has given his backing to a group calling on football’s leaders to support those affected by dementia. The Manchester United and England legend has thrown his weight behind the Football Families for Justice group, on a day when famous names from across the game gathered in the city where he made his name.
![[A host of ex-players - including Beckham’s former United teammates Gary Pallister joined the mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool to call for more action]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/10/14/93958831-14270933-image-m-9_1736517872134.jpg)
A host of ex-players - including Beckham’s former United teammates Gary Pallister and David May, former Everton player and manager Peter Reid, Leeds star Gary McAllister and Liverpool playmaker Jan Molby - joined the mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool to call for more action and financial aid.
![[Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester (left) , and Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool city region (right), hosted the event]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/10/14/93959611-14270933-image-a-47_1736519261547.jpg)
Studies have found evidence of a link between football and an increased risk of dementia (3.46 times more than the general public) and higher rates of death due to neurodegenerative diseases, thanks to repetitive heading of the ball. In 2020, Beckham backed Mail Sport's campaign, spearheaded by columnist Chris Sutton and John Stiles, son of World Cup winner Nobby, which called on the sport to tackle its dementia crisis.
That campaign scored a number of victories, but the fight continues. Now Beckham has voiced his support for FFJ, which is calling on the government to amend the Football Governance Bill and place a statutory duty on football authorities and the PFA to set up a financial support scheme with players and their families.
