The SFA have announced heading will be banned the day before and after matches across professional football in Scotland.
And teams will be limited to only session per week which involves repetitive heading of the football with the new guidelines in response to evidence which shows footballers are three-and-a-half times more likely to die with brain disease. The changes come after extensive consultation and follows on from the decision to limit heading in youth football with it being outlawed for U12s.
Scottish football has been at the forefront of player safety and "If in doubt, sit them out" campaign the first across the globe to combat the elevated risk of head injuries in the sport. SFA chief Ian Maxwell said: “The historic University of Glasgow study (FIELD), which found an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease in retired professional footballers, compared to a matched population control group, has been a catalyst for a radical rethink of football guidance, starting in the youth game with the introduction of the heading guidelines for children between 6-17 in 2020.
“The Scottish FA said at the time that this research should shape the thinking in the adult game not just domestically but across the world. I am grateful to everyone in the professional game – clubs, coaches and managers, and players – for contributing to the latest research which has culminated in these new guidelines.
“It is our intention that these guidelines will be embraced and implemented with immediate effect. The publishing of today’s guidelines represents our ongoing commitment to player welfare.”
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