Headed clearances are rising significantly – football should not ignore the health risks
“A couple of weeks ago, two football stories which seemed unrelated were, in reality, very much connected. The first story was Arsenal’s apparent inability to score goals from open play, in the aftermath of their 3-2 defeat by Manchester United. The second was the inquest into the death of former Scotland and Manchester United defender Gordon McQueen, who passed away in 2023 at the age of 70. The latter, clearly, is of greater importance. It wasn’t simply about McQueen. The report from senior coroner Jonathan Heath was stark about the impact repeatedly heading footballs had upon his life, and indeed upon his death. …”
NY Times/The Athletic – Michael Cox (Video)