Union chief: Headers are industrial injuries
Government urged to pay affected ex-pros
Scotland’S top trade unionist has urged the SNP government to classify dementia in footballers as an industrial injury.
STUC general secretary Roz Foyer said “no VAR” decision is required on the link between heading the ball and serious brain injuries. A study by Willie Stewart of Glasgow University found former pros were about three-and-a-half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative brain disease. Defenders were five times more likely to have dementia than non-footballers, with experts blaming headers.
Labour MSP Michael Marra believes the solution is for the government to use new welfare powers to provide affected retired footballers with social security payments.
Foyer, whose STUC Congress is in Dundee this week, told the
Record: “These are workers injured in the course of their workplace duties. There is no VAR decision required – this is an industrial injury.
“The evidence is clear. It’s inexcusable that, now they’ve got powers over welfare and benefits, the Scottish Government won’t do what is right by workers and provide the financial support that is desperately needed.
“The Scottish Government has the opportunity to provide care and compassion for these workers. They can’t keep playing for time.”
Marra said: “I urge the Scottish Government to act quickly, recognise brain injuries in former players as an industrial injury and open the avenues of support our footballing heroes and their families need.”
Amanda Kopel, whose footballer husband Frank died from dementia, said: “I welcome the STUC’s support and I back this campaign 100 per cent.”