Football in 'denial' over link between heading ball and brain injuries
Wednesday 15 February 2017 09:37, UK
The football authorities are "in denial" over the link between heading a ball and serious brain injury, according to the family of Chesterfield's all-time leading goalscorer.
Ernie Moss, 67, is still held in the highest esteem by fans of the Derbyshire club but over recent years he has succumbed to the onset of dementia which has now severely limited his speech and ability to interact.
He only ever leaves his home to go to watch Chesterfield play and needs round the clock care from his wife, daughters and family.
They are convinced that the years of heading a heavy ball and persistent head injuries have led to his condition and draw parallels with other high-profile cases where footballers have developed serious brain conditions.
His wife Jenny Moss told Sky News: "I can't tell you how many times he has been stitched up around his eyes...they used to go off the pitch get stitched up, shirts covered in blood and go back on and that was the norm."
She believes her husband would have played on even if he had known the risks but added: "We had so many plans for our retirement... It just makes me so sad to know he can't interact with his grandchildren."
The latest research into brain injuries among former footballers again stops short of proving a conclusive link but again calls for further studies.
Her daughter Nikki Trueman added: "I think football as a whole is burying its head in the sand - they are in denial - because they are scared that it will lead to loads of compensation.
"We actually don't want that because it won't make Dad get better."
Instead she would like the FA, the Premier League and PFA to consider funding a specialist centre to offer bespoke care for former professionals.
Mrs Trueman added: "To be dumping them into an old people's home is wrong, they need a specialist facility.
"Football has got so much money in it at the moment, we would just like somewhere where he can be cared for properly as he deteriorates so that my mum doesn't have to sell her home."
