JAKARTA - Players should stop heading the ball in training if research proves that it causes dementia when they are older. This has been revealed by several English Premier League managers since the topic surfaced following the death of Nobby Stiles from England.
Stiles and some of his teammates who won the 1966 World Cup were diagnosed with dementia before they died, while Manchester United star Bobby Charlton, 83, also revealed his recent diagnosis.
The Stiles' family hoped it would serve as a catalyst for overcoming dementia while Geoff Hurst, the England hero who scored a hat-trick in the 1966 final, said frequently heading the ball in practice was dangerous and children shouldn't do it at all.
"If they find out through research that heading the ball 10 times in training will cause you dementia, then let's stop it," West Bromwich Albion boss Slaven Bilic told reporters.
"For me, the great thing is they talk about it and admit it."
Chelsea coach Frank Lampard said he is now considering how players train and support regulations to reduce headers in youth football before implementing higher guidelines.
"This rule has to be stronger to make sure we don't make the youngsters head if they don't need it," said Lampard.
"We have to start with youth football. When the kids develop, we can control the level of training. Anything we can do to make it safer, we have to do."
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith, whose father was diagnosed with dementia before dying from COVID-19, voiced Bilic's view of the need for further research.
"Unfortunately dementia and Alzheimer's are more prevalent around the world now, but I think if there is a correlation between heading in football and dementia then we need to do something," said Smith.
"The ball used to be heavier. We are all saddened by the former players who have dementia."
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