In 2021, Manchester United and Scotland hero Denis Law insisted heading the ball was to blame for his dementia. When you think of the Wembley game, now you say to yourself, ‘Was it worth it?’” His brother Iain told the Record before Gordon’s death: “Gordon scored about 30 or 40 goals in his career and the bulk of them were headers. The Scottish Government must act now.”Įx-Scotland powerhouse McQueen, who scored an iconic goal for his country against England at Wembley in 1977, died after being diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2021. “Quite bluntly, time is short to make sure a generation of legends receive support. Michael Marra is helping lead the campaign (Image: Getty Images) We need to get on with recognising this as the industrial injury it is and work to make sure that players can access the support and benefits they deserve.
"Politicians and the Scottish Government cannot hide from the facts. Steps taken to reduce heading drills before and after games is a reflection of that just as this crucial letter is. In certain positions, like centre-half, that grows to five times more likely. Former players are three-and-a-half times more likely to suffer the consequences of brain injuries sustained while playing the game. "They all know team-mates and friends who have suffered and died. We're committed to bringing Dons fans all the latest headlines, transfer news and more from Pittodrie, from articles, videos, interviews and more.Īnd if you aren't already, make sure you join the conversation over on our A.F.C Facebook Group. Get all the latest Aberdeen F.C news sent straight to your Inbox by signing up to our newsletter. "For a generation of our greats, they are facing their final injury time - and time is running out.” We have a generational chance to support those who entertained us in our national game to be given the support they desperately need. “To help honour that legacy and meet this new challenge, we, the undersigned, are calling for brain injuries experienced by ex-footballers to be classified as an industrial injury. It is the least we can do for those who have entertained us as part of our national game. It adds: "This would give access to much-needed additional income for former players, their families, and their carers. By creating a clear and dignified process, we can honour the legacy of our footballing heroes with action and stop a generation of players falling victim to preventable suffering." “Under new powers being devolved in Scotland, we have an opportunity to formally classify brain injury in football as an industrial injury.
Those in power must now recognise it, too. "Brain injuries from repetitive head impacts have resulted in a generation of players being afflicted by this decline in brain function.
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Former professional footballers are three-and-a-half times more likely to die of brain injuries, including dementia, than people of the same age range in the general population. The statement reads: “The evidence is now clear. Gordon McQueen died after suffering from dementia (Image: Getty Images) If the campaign is successful, it would see players with football-related brain injuries qualify for benefit payments. Other research revealed footballers who play in defence are five times more likely to have dementia than non-footballers.įerguson, Strachan and McLeish join Craig Levein in urging the Scottish Government to use new social security powers. READ MORE: Aberdeen winger Callum Roberts joins Scunthorpe United for undisclosed feeĪ 2019 study by Glasgow University professor Willie Stewart found ex-footballers were about three-and-a-half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative brain disease than members of the general population. The historic declaration states: “For a generation of our greats, they are facing their final injury time – and time is running out.” The demand comes after former Scotland hero Gordon McQueen, 70, died from dementia last Thursday. Sir Alex Ferguson and two other Gothenburg Greats are among dozens of football greats to demand brain injuries caused by heading the ball are classed as an industrial injury.įormer Aberdeen and Manchester United boss Ferguson along with ex-Scotland managers Gordon Strachan and Alex McLeish are among the coaches calling for retired players suffering from dementia to be given help via the devolved social security system.
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