PFA’S LETTER ON DEMENTIA IS INSULTING, SAYS SUTTON
A PFA letter sent to members highlighting the union’s dedication to researching dementia in football has been slammed by Sportsmail columnist Chris Sutton as ‘insulting’ and a ‘lie’. A brochure, signed at the bottom by PFA chief Gordon Taylor, claims the players’ union and the FA have been ‘committed to research in this area since 2001’. It was mailed to members after a landmark 22-month study revealed last week that professional footballers are three and a half times more likely to die of dementia than the general public. Sutton, whose father Mike — a former footballer — is suffering from a degenerative disease caused by repetitive brain trauma, hit out at the PFA’s claims last night. The letter also includes a ‘PFA Dementia Helpline’, though the son of one former footballer suffering from dementia told Sportsmail yesterday of his frustration after calling it. Sutton said: ‘What a joke this letter is. It claims the PFA have been “committed to research since 2001”. Do me a favour. I said last week that this study was rolled
out 15 years too late. It was in November 2002 when a coroner ruled Jeff Astle, the ex-England player famed for his aerial ability, died from dementia brought on by repeatedly heading the ball.
‘Some research started in 2002 but it lay dormant for years. Nothing was done. We had to wait until 2019 to be told what we already knew — that football and dementia are linked.
‘I don’t see how we can rely on Gordon Taylor to lead the fight against this awful disease. Dawn Astle will tell you he once told her, “My mother has dementia and she’s never headed a ball”. He admitted on Alan Shearer’s BBC documentary that he didn’t know how many of the PFA’s 50,000 members have dementia. Isn’t it his job to know?
‘This letter even says the study wasn’t able to tell them the exact cause of this increased risk and further research is needed. What else could it be other than heading? That to me is dismissive of the research already completed.
‘We’re a week on from this study being revealed and we’ve gone nowhere. All has gone quiet.
‘Why is there not a concerted campaign from current and past players to address what is clearly a very serious situation?
‘I for one do not want to sit back and find ourselves in the same situation in 20 years’ time, with too many former footballers dying from dementia.’
The PFA say the letter was sent out to all members last week. They add they have partnered with the Alzheimer’s Society and pay for an expert to speak to members. Last year, PFA chairman Ben Purkiss told Sportsmail: ‘We have £50million but donate just £100,000 to research into dementia — which should be one of the most important causes the PFA can take on.’
It was also reported this year that Taylor still received a £2.2m pay package in 2018, despite the furore his salary caused when the 2017 accounts were revealed.
Taylor, who has led the PFA since 1981, is stepping down after a review into the union’s finances is complete. Sutton continued: ‘I fully believe he should go now. Maybe people aren’t talking about dementia in football because they do not know what it is like. Well I do. So does Dawn Astle and plenty of others.
‘If you asked my dad to dress himself, he wouldn’t know how to. It can be like looking after a baby. It’s not about forgetting your car keys. This really is a despicable way to die.
‘I’ve got sons who play football, and I don’t want them heading balls. I’m not saying ban heading from the professional game, but maybe something should change at youth level. It is not just about the pro game. It is about football as a whole.’