Warning on heading risks possible after Astle ruling: union

PLAYERS’ union chief Gordon Taylor believes soccer may have to come with a warning that “heading can damage your health” after a landmark coroner’s ruling.

An inquest into the death of former West Brom striker Jeff Astle ruled that repeated heading of a wet, heavy, leather ball had been a “significant contributing factor” to the cause of his death at the age of 59.

Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers Association, believes the risk of heading is much slighter since the advent of lighter, waterproof balls, but said that clubs at all levels might eventually have to issue warnings.