Sir Geoff Hurst said he supports a ban on children heading footballs in the wake of sweeping dementia diagnoses and deaths among his 1966 World Cup-winning teammates. Former England and West Brom striker Jeff Astle died in 2002 aged 59 because of repeated trauma from heading footballs, described by a coroner as an “industrial injury”. The FA maintains more collaboration is needed across football’s governing bodies to help better understand the issue. Asked if heading could be banned in the future, he replied: “Who knows what the future might hold? “I think it is important, with children’s football especially, we are careful when that (heading) is introduced and the neck muscles have to be strong enough.

Source: Express November 18, 2020 05:03 UTC