New research has revealed that former professional footballers are three and a half times more likely to suffer from dementia and other neurological diseases, confirming the link between football and brain damage.
A 22-month research study conducted by the University of Glasgow’s Brain Injury Group discovered there was a five-fold increase in the risk of Alzheimer’s, four-fold increase in motor neurone disease and a two-fold increase in Parkinson’s.
This study also revealed that former footballers are less likely to die from other common issues such as heart disease and cancer, and, on average lived three years longer.
The FA confirmed that despite the study, there was not enough evidence to change any aspect of the game.
German footballer Christoph Kramer interrupted the 2014 World Cup to ask the referee if he was indeed, playing in a World Cup Final. This incident came after Argentina’s centre back inadvertently slammed his shoulder into Kamer’s jaw when trying to retrieve the ball. Whilst suffering a concussion, Kamer was briefly assessed then allowed to re-enter the game where in the 31st minute, he collapsed to the ground and was substituted. Kamer has no recollection of from when he was hit till he came off the pitch.
The Premier League is being urged to support a new industry-wide fund to cover care costs of former professional footballers living with dementia building up to a shareholders meeting next month.
This idea was suggested by the Professional Footballers’ Association following the confirmation of the link between football and neurological disease. The PFA is now calling for “stakeholders in football to create an industry-wide fund to support former players affected by dementia”. The PFA is majorly funded by the Premier League’s broadcast rights and people are calling for its funding to come from the players and make it proportional to their wages. Currently, the highest paid Premier League players make more money in a fortnight than the PFA’s entire annual benevolent fund for former players. At the moment, the PFA funds limited care, counselling, respite, travel and changes to living spaces.
