David Beckham joins calls for more support for footballers affected by dementia
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David Beckham has joined calls for football authorities to do more to help footballers affected by dementia and their families. The former England captain threw his support behind the Football Families for Justice group which gathered retired players and relatives on Friday to lobby authorities on brain injuries caused by the sport.
In a video message played at an event in Manchester, Beckham highlighted how three of his mentors around Manchester United - England World Cup winners Sir Bobby Charlton and Nobby Stiles and "Class of 92" youth coach Eric Harrison - died from neurodegenerative diseases.
He said: "I want to add my support to the work of John Stiles (Nobby's son) and Football Families for Justice in their campaign to meet the needs of those affected. "We need the football family to come together and allocate resources to help address the tragedy of these devastating diseases.
"Let's ensure that victims and their families are treated with kindness, respect and best-in-class support. "I hope you will join us in ensuring a better future for our former colleagues - the many ex-professional footballers who have brought so much joy to so many fans and for their loved ones.".
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