Soccer and dementia - Banning headers

MOST boxers, their coaches and medical advisers are well aware of the dangers associated with their sport.

Whether amateur or professional, boxers who get hit repeatedly on the head are liable to suffer brain damage. Other contact sports also have their dangers, especially rugby where head and neck injuries are not uncommon.

However, it has now emerged that playing soccer, a sport not normally associated with life-changing injuries, may be just as perilous as boxing, particularly for professional players.