Scottish football group to ban heading before, after games

By Selcuk Bugra Gokalp

ANKARA (AA) - The Scottish Football Association (SFA) on Monday introduced new adult game guidance which limits heading in training for the players’ safety.

After consulting with key groups, including 50 professional men’s and women’s football clubs, Professional Footballers’ Association Scotland, the coaches’ and managers’ associations, the Scottish Football Association banned players from heading the ball in training the day before and after a match.

The SFA also said clubs should plan and monitor heading activity in training to reduce the overall heading burden.

The federation also has guidelines limiting heading in training for under-12 youth football.

The decision followed research by Glasgow University proving that former footballers are three-and-a-half times more likely to die from brain disease.

"The Scottish FA said at the time that this research should shape the thinking in the adult game not just domestically but across the world," said Ian Maxwell, Scottish FA chief executive.

"I am grateful to everyone in the professional game – clubs, coaches and managers, and players – for contributing to the latest research which has culminated in these new guidelines."

"It is our intention that these guidelines will be embraced and implemented with immediate effect. The publishing of today’s guidelines represents our ongoing commitment to player welfare."