FOOTBALL LINK TO BRAIN DISEASES

HEADING footballs may cause more damage to the brain than previously thought, a new study has suggested.

- DAN VEVERS

The US report says there is a link between repeated head impacts and serious neurodegenerative diseases, even when they don't result in injury at the time.

It comes amid a six-year campaign to ban headers from the game in Scotland due to concerns over the long-term health effects for players.

The push has been led by Amanda Kopel, the widow of tragic Frank Kopel, who blames her late husband's death on heading the ball.