TAYLOR HITS BACK OVER DEMENTIA
Bullish PFA boss defends union after criticism
PFA supremo Gordon Taylor has hit back at critics of his union’s approach to the issue of dementia in football.
Speaking exclusively to Sportsmail, Taylor questioned why dealing with brain disease in former players is seen as the responsibility of the PFA alone. He said that he is committed to more research and has lobbied for its recognition as an industrial injury.
‘People say “Why aren’t the PFA sorting it out?”’, said Taylor. ‘And you think, hang on, this is a worldwide issue that governments can’t get to grips with. We’re not medical people. We’ll do whatever we can but the best neurologists in the world still can’t deal with exactly what causes it.
‘We’ve said research is needed into heading the ball, repetitive heading and concussion. We’ve tried to lobby the FA
on that. We’re working with about three projects now where we’re trying to get former players to volunteer for testing to get as much data as we can. It’s important we keep researching and then if necessary you’ve got to look to change the rules and be careful about repetitive heading.’ The PFA have come in for fresh criticism since the death on Friday of Nobby Stiles — who lived for years with Alzheimer’s. T This was followed by c confirmation on Sunday that Sir B Bobby Charlton, his Manchester U United and England team-mate, has been diagnosed with dementia. Five of the England team from the World Cup final in 1966 have suffered from the disease since retirement, as have many other former footballers. Research has supported theories about a link between heading the ball and the early onset of dementia.