The PFA has set up a new fund to help former players suffering from dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases, which will be supported by the Premier League.
A study commissioned by the Professional Football League and the Football Association found that former professional football players were 3.46 times more likely to develop neurodegenerative diseases and dementia.
The FA has sought to mitigate potential health and dementia risks and last year gave the go-ahead to a study to rule out intentional headbutts in under-12 matches. Now financial assistance will be provided to those who have already suffered.
Premier League and PFA launch Football Dementia Fund, initially set aside £1m to help former players and their families battling neurodegenerative diseases https://t.co/5vBYVI3c91
— Futebol International Football Club (@FutebolIntlFC) September 6, 2023
“An initial £1m will be made available immediately to provide discretionary financial support to former players and their families to help improve their quality of life,” the Premier League said on its website on Wednesday.
“The fund will be created as the PFA and the Premier League seek to create a charitable foundation that includes other football-related players as a means of long-term support,” he added.
Eligible patients will be assessed by a panel of neuroscience, nursing and social welfare experts.
Many world champions in England in 1966 suffered from dementia, the last of which was Manchester United legend Bobby Charlton, and Nobby Styles died of the same cause.
Bobby’s older brother, Jack Charlton, and his teammates Ray Wilson and Martin Peters, who scored the second goal in the 1966 final against West Germany (4-2), also suffered from the same disease, and they all died in recent years.
It is already illegal in the UK to allow children under 12 to play with their heads during football practice.
Source: “Wakalat”