Professional footballers are calling for a ban on children under the age of 10 heading footballs after studies suggested it could cause ‘small but significant changes in brain function’.

 

Former Wales international footballer, Iwan Roberts, is calling on the Football Association of Wales (FAW) to put a ban in place in the country after learning of the latest findings.

 

He is hoping that FAW making the ‘correct decision’ will encourage FAs in other countries to follow suit.

 

 

However, FAW say they need some clear proof of the claimed effects before they would consider the ban.

 

“One of our objectives is to ensure that children have a safe and enjoyable football offer,” chief executive of FAW, Neil Ward told BBC Wales.

 

“Should this and other research provide a robust evidence base that the game needs to be adapted to preclude heading, then the required changes would of course be made.”

 

Leading experts from brain injury charities are calling for more studies into the subject also however, similar bans are already in place in the US because of the same issue.

 

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