LONDON (Reuters) - An English study into whether heading a football can cause brain trauma will begin in January, investigating an issue that has been widely debated since the activity was blamed for contributing to a former star striker's dementia. An inquest found that repeatedly heading a heavy leather football during his career was a factor in former West Bromwich Albion and England player Astle's dementia. The study, which will involve some 15,000 former professional footballers, was announced on Thursday by the English Football Association. "Through the FIELD study we hope to be able to provide some understanding of the long-term health impact of football within the next two to three years." The FA's CEO Martin Glenn welcomed the research saying it would be one of the "most comprehensive" ever into the long-term health of former footballers.

Source: The Star November 23, 2017 12:56 UTC