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Episode details

Sounds,01 Oct 2021,39 mins

Should football ban heading?

The Sports Desk

Available for over a year

Whether it’s a big defender leaping to head the ball clear, or a striker diving full-length to score, heading has always been a big part of football. But should it come with a health warning? With studies showing that footballers are 3 and a half times more likely to die of dementia, we’ll ask whether the risks of heading a football really justify the rewards. Former England captain Terry Butcher explains why he thinks heading should be phased out of football. We hear from Dr Michael Grey, a leading expert in dementia and football, and report from the first UK adult match with restrictions on heading the ball. Panel: Sarah Mulkerrins, Dan Roan, Nesta McGregor, Fiona Tomas Producer: Sam Sheringham

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