Scotland bans head training because of the risk of dementia, but in Switzerland?

In 1966, England, the birthplace of football, won its only World Cup title to date. Players like Sir Bobby Charlton, Jack Charlton or Nobby Stiles make themselves immortal, but today only the former is alive. Two others died of dementia, as did two other players.

Is it just an unfortunate coincidence? According to a study by the University of Glasgow in Scotland, no. Their scientists analyzed the risk of developing dementia in 7676 former professional football players and compared it with the control group. Bottom line: your risk is 3.5 times higher than that of non-football players.

Headings are practiced only once a week

In particular, defenders are at high risk of dementia (5 times higher), while goalkeepers are more likely. Therefore, researchers are convinced that this is due to the game of the head – most often it is done by defenders because of their position on the field, and goalkeepers almost never. You are allowed to use your hands.

To prevent the risk of dementia, the Scottish Football Association recently decided that balls can only be practiced once a week. This rule also applies to professional use. In addition, head exercises should be avoided the day before and after the game.

SFV waives ban

In the junior division, the rules are even stricter: when training players under 12 years old, heading is completely prohibited, and only from 16 years old they need to be trained once a week. By the way, these rules also apply in Ireland and England.

How about in this country? Switzerland has no rules for grassroots or professional football, and no bans for youth football. Patrick Brugmann, director of football development at the Swiss Football Association (SFV), told CH Media that there are currently no plans “to ban the use of head kicks in football.”

Playing fields and goals should be smaller

The “Scottish Way” is being critically assessed in SFV: according to Bruggmann, the ban also needs to be tested, “otherwise it may degenerate into a farce” of the University of Glasgow other than the Scottish Association.

Instead, SFV chooses to focus on raising awareness in coach education, as CH Media newspapers continue to write. In addition, a game format is currently being introduced in which very young players play on smaller fields with fewer goals, which should reduce the frequency of heading.