Denis Law has said he is “definite” there is a link between his dementia and heading a football.
The 81-year-old Manchester United and Scotland legend told the Sunday Mail he stopped towards the end of his career because he knew it wasn’t safe.
He has backed a campaign to ban under-12s heading in training and demanded more research, while calling for players to be tested once a year.
Footballing authorities have been asleep at the wheel on this issue for years and must now wake up and listen to the Lawman.
This is one of the richest industries on the planet and yet there is an inexplicable reluctance to make sure millions of young players aren’t unnecessarily being placed in harm’s way.
The SFA, FA, FIFA and UEFA need to spend whatever it takes to research the link between heading the ball and dementia.
They must then take action to make sure the game is safe in the future, and provide support and compensation for those already affected.
Celtic hero Billy McNeill had been fighting dementia before he died in 2019 and fellow Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld has been diagnosed with the same illness.
Former Dundee United defender Frank Kopel died from dementia in 2008 and his widow Amanda has been campaigning for more research ever since.
How many more heroes must be struck down – along with countless unknown victims – before we accept this is a problem and do something about it?
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