90% of diagnosed concussions occur without loss of consciousness.
1600% increase in youth football concussions between 1990-2014
In 2015, the U.S. Soccer Federation decided to ban heading for young athletes (children under 10 years of age).
What the experts are saying
“Football faces a huge challenge in tackling brain injuries — including changing the mindset of players who are prepared to stay on the pitch until they cannot walk any more.”
John Mousinho, Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA)
“With the current data we’re now at the point to suggest that football should be sold with a health warning saying repeated heading in football may lead to an increased risk of dementia. That’s where we are now, that cannot be ignored.”
Dr Willie Stewart, University of Glasgow
Women athletes are twice as likely as men to get concussed and the effects are more severe, but with research focusing mainly on men, is concussion in women being overlooked?
English football will introduce heading guidance across every level of the professional and amateur game from the start of the 2021-22 season.