Research from a study by neuropathologist Dr Willie Stewart - which was commissioned by the FA and PFA - found that former footballers were between two and five times more likely to die from degenerative brain diseases. It has yet to be proven whether heading is a contributing factor. Stewart's examination of former West Brom striker Jeff Astle concluded he died of a brain condition normally linked to boxers, and that it was caused by heading footballs. Last month, a coroner ruled that former Welsh international Alan Jarvis died from dementia linked to repeatedly heading the ball. The Premier League says it contributes £23m a year to the PFA, which goes to several charitable and development causes, including the recent study. It also has its own head injury advisory group, and is awaiting more details on concussion substitutions from IFAB, which are set to be trialled across the game from January 2021 onwards.
Alistair Magowan, 'Nobby Stiles: Family says football 'must address scandal of dementia' affecting former players', BBC
