'Football must do more to protect players from dementia and help former players with condition'
'Football must do more to protect players from dementia and help former players with condition'
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Hull City legend Dean Windass is the latest former footballer to be diagnosed with dementia. The striker has reacted with characteristic bravery but his diagnosis is a reminder of the dangers players face. Scientific research has shown that repeated heading of the ball increases the risk of degenerative brain disease and that footballers are 50% more likely to develop dementia than the rest of the population.
Given this is the case, it is incumbent on the sport to do more to protect players and help former players with the condition. The Football Brain Health Fund, set up by the Professional Footballers’ Association and the Premier League, has allocated £1million so far to support players with care costs.
This has been described as a pittance by John Stiles, the son of England hero Nobby Stiles who died in 2020 after having lived with dementia for several years. He’s right. When the Premier League clubs are spending billions on transfers then there is no excuse for not doing more to help those who have given so much to the game.
No care for law. Donald Trump may have escaped jail but he cannot escape his guilt. When sentencing the President-elect yesterday the judge made clear the reason he was receiving an unconditional discharge was because he will be returning to the White House in 10 days’ time.
Anyone who cares about standards in public life should be concerned Mr Trump refuses to accept he had been found guilty of 34 felonies. It is deeply worrying that the most powerful man in the world has so little care for justice, decency and the rule of law.
