Banning headers ‘will ruin football’
THE announcement that Manchester united legend Denis Law has been diagnosed with dementia will doubtless reignite the debate about banning heading from football. there seems to be little dispute that the frequent heading of a football increases the risk of conditions such as Alzheimer’s. Sporting trauma to the head applies even more so with boxing. Is anyone seriously suggesting that punches to the head should be banned? Participation in football, like other contact sports such as rugby, carries the risk of repeated head trauma and hence the risk of developing dementia. However, I believe the banning of heading would be the ruination of football. How would such a ban have affected famous matches of the past? Arguably, England would not have won the World Cup in 1966 because there would not have been either of Geoff Hurst’s goals: one won the quarter-final against Argentina and the other against West Germany in the final. there would not have been the FA Cup victory for Liverpool in 1965 without Ian St John’s fantastic diving header in extra time or the European Cup final victory for Manchester united against Benfica in 1968 without Bobby Charlton’s opening goal. Dementia is a horrible disease for all who are afflicted, not just those who have been sports stars. For those who wish to reduce the risk of head trauma, the only solution is simple: don’t participate in contact sports.