£1BN BILL TO CARE FOR EX-PLAYERS

As charity reveals huge cost of caring for former footballers hit by dementia, tragic Kopel's widow demands the game's bosses do more to help

- JACKIE GRANT

THE widow of Dundee United legend Frank Kopel says Scottish football authorities must do more to help cover costs of caring for players struck by dementia.

It comes as charity Head Safe Football calculated that caring for ex-footballers with the disease could cost £1billion over the next 30 years.

Amanda Kopel said: "When Frankie was first diagnosed in 2008, I received a call from the Players Union saying they didn't have any funds to help us, but could offer me a free one-hour counselling session. That's all we were ever offered.

"Frankie and other players like Billy McNeill died because they were injured doing a job they loved, by heading the ball. They paid their taxes and National Insurance, but Frankie got no help from the SFA.