Broken promises What was said – and what happened

2002 Brendon Batson represents the PFA at the Jeff Astle inquest and says that a 10-year research project has begun with the FA aimed at answering whether heading affects the brain.

2014 Astle family are told by a journalist that the research has stopped. The FA confirms some of the players being tested have dropped out but the PFA says it was ongoing. The FA writes to apologise to the Astle family over the miscommunication and delay. New guidelines for the onfield treatment of head injuries and concussion are issued by the FA and Premier League in conjunction with the PFA. December 2014 Dawn Astle is told during a meeting attended by the FA and PFA that a list of research questions will be sent to Fifa.

2016 The FA admits that it still has not forwarded research questions to Fifa but suggests it was an issue for Fifa, which says there is “very little evidence”. The FA tells the Astle family it will look at options for research. The PFA says it will lead research if no other body comes forward. The PFA’s Gordon Taylor says he would be disappointed if it had not started by the end of the year.

2017 FA says a new research project will soon be announced in collaboration with the PFA, which confirms that it is looking at research in consultation with the FA and others but cannot fund it alone. March 2017 Families of affected players continue to await announcement of new study.