'FOOTBALL CAN'T EXIST WITHOUT HEADING!' Andy Townsend feels heading is one of the risks of the game!

A new report has highlighted the long-term risks of repeatedly heading the ball over a long-period of time & may lead to changes in football.

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[millbank]

Leaving the house is risking your life. come on guys life is for living not being scared

[rowanphillips]

Ok then what about boxing, mma, rugby etc all physical sport that is much more damaging to one's health and damages towards the head

[harrisonking]

Players can choose what they want to do to there body

[raphaelnasser]

heading can be limited in training though which is a lot more frequent than matches

[anthonyto]

Astori dead, Erikson, Nouri, and Muamba with life threatening moments due to heart problems. I think more focus should be put on heart problems that we see all the time when players pass out instead of trying to limit heading when no one has died from it

[paulturner]

Old pro’s were also headering leather footballs. There are so many factors that influence dementia. Diet, health, brain activity, social environment etc. We are also ignoring that we now have an ageing population living for a longer period than ever before, many dying with dementia...

[nilelynch]

Let's get something right. SPORT should come with a health warning. Each sport has it's physical or mental consciences. Let's stop pretending this is only a contact sport problem. Plenty of Golfers or Cricket players end up going into major surgery for one issue or another. I'm all for protecting minors and minimalizing the risk the them. However, heading is an essential element to the game and now the information is there for people to make an informed decision. We must not forget SPORT IS A CHOICE no one is forcing anyone to play.

[MG-cejz]

What about boxing or MMA people getting punched in their head 24/7

[ryan]

Scientist are starting to write the laws now, only taking one's side of research is dangerous.

[tharcisse]

The whole game would change. From a tactical standpoint, what would be the use in having tall defenders? The demographic would shift completely. Spain, Portugal etc. would continue to do well but every Maguire would be replaced by a Bruno. Why have big defenders that are less technically gifted if the game's only played when the ball's below the neck? It'd be purely technical, tactical & quick players.

[sheslying]

Heading can't exist without football

[becksy]

Ban cars ?, ban pizzas, ban ciggarettes, ban alcohol, ban sunbathung, jut ban anything that can shorten your life, life isa risk, for eveybody in evey profession

[millbank]

If its up to science we would not be aloud out the house without a mask on or be able to get within 6 feet of another human being.. get real Adrian

[Kingsthest]

There’s gotta be some middle ground. Maybe head gears for defenders like Petr Cech used to wear to soften the blow? Lol

[onlycity]

If this rule was to be implemented then it favours city more than anyone else due to the fact they have the shortest squad in the premier league and rarely put a high ball into the box anyway..
Would also make the target of Kane this summer less likely as he is priced on his scoring ability and a lot of his goals scored are with his head..
Maybe Levy is at the forefront in approving this new ruling in hoping it will stop his prized asset leaving the club he doesn't even want to be at for the start of this new season..

[fiftydayz]

Rather have scrum caps or something like that. Not by eliminating heading the ball.

[superstarajl]

any consideration for some sort of headgear perhaps? I could see that happening.... even maybe at lower levels....

[ehmonja]

Boxers and MMA fighters risk their health everyday but thats what you do to be great.
An olympic swimmer risks damage to their lungs, a rugby player risks his whole body and the list for every sport goes on.
Its what you do to risk it all to become great.

[MyShowbizName]

Don't become a footballer then. No problems with these findings being highlighted. Great, give people the information of what could happen if they want to be a footballer and then leave them to make their own decision just as boxers decide whether they want to risk being punched in the head. Perhaps they should also take driving fast out of F1.

[joelthorpe]

Over exercise and extreme fitness can cause heart problems (extreme cases) .. does everybody stop training during the week just in case?