The English Football Association announced on Monday that it has received approval to trial the ban on intentional heading in matches for players under the age of 12, in order to mitigate potential health risks and the chances of developing dementia. The approval for the trial came from the International Football Association Board, which is responsible for legislating the game's rules.
The trial will take place during the 2022-2023 season, with a consideration to completely eliminate intentional heading during the 2023-2024 season, should the trial prove successful. The FA has already previously issued guidelines either to limit or to eliminate heading in training sessions.
The FA stated, "The aim is to help mitigate any potential risks that may be associated with heading, including head-to-head or elbow-to-head collisions or head impacts with the ground." It added, "This represents a cautious approach to playing and enjoying football, while ongoing research in this field continues."
Studies have linked heading the ball to chronic brain injuries, with this issue being highlighted after it was revealed that five players from the England team that won the 1966 World Cup suffered from dementia.
The matter has reached a point where a software company that worked with Premier League clubs developed a virtual reality training program in an attempt to find a solution to overcome the harmful effects of heading in football.
