Opinion’s divided on calls for ban on children heading footballs

ALAN Shearer’s BBC documentary has thrust dementia fears in football into the spotlight – and now our readers have had their say on whether children should be banned from heading the ball.

The Newcastle United legend was at the forefront of the show which aired on Sunday night, investigating the dangers of footballers developing the disease.

Shearer revealed his own fears of developing dementia, having headed footballs more than 100 times a day during his professional career.

And in a ChronicleLive poll which received almost 1,700 votes, readers narrowly voted against banning children from heading footballs during matches.

In total, 58% of readers voted against the introduction of any form of heading ban for children, and several took to our Facebook page to air their views.

Stewart Masson posted: “Footballs are a lot lighter nowadays, so no we shouldn’t.

“Children should be encouraged to take up sports instead of sitting on consoles all day or causing trouble on the streets.”

Kev Reilly commented: “Regardless if you ban it, kids will always head the ball into the back of the goal even if that goal consists of two coats laid out as posts on the local field or back lane.”

Families of those affected by the disease have campaigned for years for more research into the matter, and have called it “sport’s silent scandal”.

And following Shearer’s documentary, many readers believed bans and further research are needed.

Anne Matthews wrote: “We need more robust research about contact sports and long-term health affects with an emphasis on cognitive functionality.

“If Alan Shearer is using his status to highlight concerns that have potential to facilitate research then that’s a good thing.”