Former male professional footballers are more than three times more likely to develop dementia, a landmark study revealed on Monday.
Research funded by the Professional Footballers’ Association and the FA has for the first time found significant evidence of a link between playing football and serious brain injuries.
Experts at Glasgow University found former players born between 1900 and 1976 were three-and-a-half times more likely to develop dementia.
The study — which did not include any female or amateur players — also found former professionals are more likely to develop brain diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
The groundbreaking research is the first of its kind and was unable at this formative stage to explain why the rate was higher among 7,676 former footballers studied.
There was no clear relationship established between heading the ball and dementia but among the recommendations are widespread implementation of concussion substitutes, due to be discussed at a meeting of the International Football Association Board’s technical group this week.
The players concerned did not die any earlier but death certificates established the cause of dementia in 11 per cent of cases compared with three per cent of the general public, totalling 23,028.
The study, led by Dr Willie Stewart, began in January last year following campaigning for research by the families of former players including West Brom legend Jeff Astle, who developed dementia and died in 2002 aged 59.
The inquest into Astle’s death found heading heavy leather footballs repeatedly had contributed to trauma to his brain.
There is no evidence of a link between dementia and the modern game.
FA chairman Greg Clarke said: “This is the most comprehensive study ever commissioned into neurodegenerative disease in former professional footballers. We welcome its findings and thank Dr Willie Stewart for diligently leading this important research.”
