Calls for the recognition of football-related dementia as an industrial injury. Discusses cases such as Billy McNeill and Frank Kopel to illustrate the impact on players' lives. Mentions that professional footballers are 3.5 times more likely than the general population to die from neurodegenerative diseases.

Acknowledges the Premier League and PFA's £1 million brain health fund as a positive step but notes that it is insufficient for 55,000 former professional footballers in England alone.

Honours Amanda Kopel for her work on ensuring free personal care support for those under 65 with degenerative conditions like Frank Kopel had.

References the case of Gordon McQueen and mentions the Ryden family to highlight the correlation between heading footballs and neurodegenerative diseases.

Expresses the importance of understanding the correlation between football and dementia, highlighting studies that show former players are at a higher risk. Commends the work of Southend United Ex-Players Association in supporting former players with degenerative conditions and urges the Professional Footballers’ Association to engage more closely with local organisations like SUEPA.

Called for recognition of CTE as an industrial disease to provide compensation. Highlighted the plight of players below top level facing hardship. Mentioned a study by Boston University on amateur athletes and CTE, advocating comprehensive research into safe heading levels. Emphasised player safety concerns among amateur footballers and parents, urging authorities to prioritise these issues.

Commemorated friends and colleagues who contributed to the debate, mentioned the excellent speech by Anna Firth, and highlighted the work of Michael Marra from Labour Member of the Scottish Parliament. He also cited support from former footballers such as Alex McLeish and Sir Alex Ferguson, along with evidence from universities linking football injuries to dementia and other conditions. Stephens discussed scepticism from some quarters but emphasised that there is now clear evidence of a link between heading the ball and brain injuries. He highlighted the wage issue, stating that many players earned less than what would be considered average today, and shared an anecdote about former Rangers player Gordon Smith to illustrate how wages were driven down in the past. Stephens called for recognition of football injuries as industrial injuries by the Department for Work and Pensions.

I am sure that anybody who is interested in football will be interested in the debate today, and they will want to support calls for research, safety provisions and proper support. There is evidence showing professional footballers are three and a half times more likely to die from neurodegenerative diseases than the general population. This issue has been known for some time since 2017, but risks need to be balanced against keeping people safe. I am grateful to Tony Higgins for his briefing on issues related to football and other sports and neurodegenerative diseases. We must consider the welfare of those participating in sport and not neglect it. The debate is welcome, and things need to change. I was pleased to hear about women’s football, especially from my visit to Busby Girls AFC where hundreds of girls are playing football. Women's professional football is more accessible now, but we do not know enough about the impact of heading the ball on women and girls compared to men. We must focus on this issue at all levels of football, including amateur athletes.

The MP for Strangford congratulated the right hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Lochaber on introducing the debate and acknowledged the contributions made by others. He emphasised the need to investigate the links between football and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and other dementias based on a 2019 public study which showed that outfield players are at increased risk of these conditions compared to goalkeepers. Jim Shannon highlighted the importance of classifying this condition as an industrial injury, especially in Northern Ireland where there has been significant support for this initiative. He referred to the case of Billy Bingham, a former Northern Ireland manager who passed away due to dementia after playing football professionally. The MP underscored the urgency and need for further evidence to strengthen calls for restrictions on heading rules and support for affected players through industrial injury classification.

Intervened, agreeing with Jim Shannon about the importance of access to industrial injury benefits for former footballers in Northern Ireland where wages are lower compared to elite leagues. This would provide necessary support and recognition for players' contributions.

Commented on the historical context of using heavy, water-soaked footballs ('caseys') which posed a significant risk to players. He noted that while modern balls may have different construction, they are still as heavy and can travel at speeds up to 70 mph, emphasising the continued need for research into heading-related injuries.

It is a great pleasure to speak in this debate on such an important subject given that so many young people across these islands partake in football-related activity. He congratulates his right hon. Friend for securing the debate and acknowledges that professional footballers are three and a half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative diseases than the general population, with defenders five times more likely to develop dementia. Studies show heading the ball is dangerous but it remains an intrinsic part of the game. He urges that safety should be prioritised for young players now and in later life, highlighting the need for further research to define main risk factors and minimise them. He also mentions a Swedish study confirming increased risks for neurodegenerative diseases among football players.

Intervenes by asking if there needs to be a broader approach in ensuring that those at all levels, right down to youth football, are encouraged to tell players about the dangers of heading the ball.

Congratulates the hon. Members for securing this important debate on dementia in football and recognises the immense benefits that playing football brings to physical health, mental health and sense of belonging at all levels. She highlights increasing evidence suggesting footballers are at greater risk of dementia, with former players 3.5 times more likely than others to die from a neurodegenerative disease. Urges action is needed for former players and their families who have already experienced the life-shattering impacts of dementia; players in midst of career and families up and down the country. She emphasises the importance of research, highlighting several studies that have solidified our understanding of the link between professional footballers and dementia. She welcomes protections and support measures put into place but calls for further analysis to ensure sport takes necessary actions.

Congratulates the right hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Lochaber, the hon. Member for Easington, and his hon. Friend the Member for Moray on securing this important debate. Highlights the cross-party approach to the debate and acknowledges the importance of the issue of dementia in football. Emphasises the safety, wellbeing and welfare of everyone taking part in sport as paramount. Mentions positive progress made by sports national governing bodies to ensure player safety. Discusses initiatives such as concussion guidelines for grassroots sports, a research group on concussion in sport, and a care fund established by the Professional Footballers’ Association and Premier League. Acknowledges the complexity of treating dementia in footballers as an industrial disease but agrees to highlight the issue with DWP.

Welcomes contributions from other Members and emphasises the importance of supporting women’s football. Acknowledges the growth and success of the women’s game in Scotland and highlights the need to get behind women’s football.

Highlights the issue of repetitive injury through heading the ball during training, asks about discussions with DWP regarding referral to the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council. Welcomes the Minister's response and urges for expedited decisions from IIAC.

Welcomes the Minister’s response, expresses interest in facilitating a discussion with the IIAC and other interested Members to report back to constituents.

The debate has been an example of cross-party unity with 28 Members sponsoring it within 24 hours. The speaker emphasises the importance of recognising football players' brain injuries as industrial injuries due to the suffering faced by many over decades. He praises the Minister's response and calls for direct representation of concerns to the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council, urging them to act quickly based on overwhelming evidence. The speaker appreciates actions taken but stresses that people are currently suffering and need support now.