If you are going post shit like Richard Littlejohn and Boris Johnson would shit out I’ll stand by what I said.
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Surprised at you Matty.
You usually disagree without the bombastic shit that others are capable of…
Anyway, as a traditionalist who loves the game as it is, one study isn’t gold standard in the need to change the laws of football. More research is required. I played football, at centre half for over thirty years. Heading balls all my football days, part of the game.
In all reasonability, we are long past the point where more study is necessary to take action. More study might tidy up some of the detail, but another study isn’t going to conclude it’s all fine after all.
Maybe.
Or it might suggest that the damage suffered by those born post the 1980’s is less than expected.
id imagine thats whats happening…(edit, more research)
but in the meantime, lets restrict heading in the kids version of the game becuase we’re pretty sure its detremental to their health, and also banning it will help produce better talented footballers… win win…
i dont even think its actually banned in Aus, but in juniors the keepers have to play the ball out, not launch it, and most coaches ive ever come accross value football on the deck…
pretty much went years without seeing it affect the game play.
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I understand the need for risk avoidance, whilst still questioning the level of evidence reqired for banning heading the ball in football. More research is certainly required, specifically for players currently playing. If evidence exists that they are exposed to potential damage, then measures have to be taken.
That said…
In ten years time football will be played without heading, without tackling, potentially in four quarters to facilitate more advertising.
The game most of us grew up with will be a distant memory.
The skills of tackling, aerial duels, headed goals will be defunct.
@Mascot nodded towards the offside rule change earlier, using that as a comparitor for comment when it was introduced. The thing is, the introduction of offside improved football. I’m not sure no heading improves the game.
But risk aversion and litigation can’t be ignored I guess
I think every generation feels the games has changed. That’s the nature of sport.
Just to play devil’s advocate, if the rules were changed to say heading is only allowed in both boxes, would we really miss it that much?
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I would miss it from the game, yes.
Though…
Maybe tradition isn’t important in the whole scheme of things?
What might happen as well…
A large pharma company and a sportswear company like Nike will develop a headband which cushions impact. FIFA will test the device and state that this revolutionary technology will be mandatory from Season 30/31.
Someone will make billions from the initiative.
Just look at what happens when youth aren’t taught how to head a ball properly, Ekitike’s miss 
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Article behind paywall. Use https://archive.today/
Ban came in when I was playing as we had a youngsters squad so trajectory is more down to what we currently see from the league leaders and others.
I wouldn’t expect a drop away for another 5-10 years. It’s probably risen because all the tactics in the last 10-15 years have been on the deck stuff