Lawyer: Sport faces legal crisis unless it adapts to preventing brain injury

British MPs have opened an inquiry into the link between playing sport and long-term brain injury

Former England international Steve Thompson, who suffers from early-onset dementia, is part of a legal claim being brought in rugby union. Picture: David Davies/PA

Sport faces a “large-scale crisis” of multiple legal claims unless a national approach to preventing brain injury is adopted, according to a lawyer who specialises in acting for individuals affected by such conditions.

British MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) committee have opened an inquiry into the link between playing sport and long-term brain injury, and what further steps can be taken to minimise risks to participants.