FIFA urged to ban heading after research shows it does cause brain damage
The headed goal with which Cristiano Ronaldo helped Manchester United win the English FA Cup final could become a thing of the past following evidence here that heading the ball does cause brain damage.
It has been suspected for years that it is the most dangerous ingredient of the world's most popular sport and a British court has even ruled that a former England star suffered brain damage as a result of repeatedly heading the ball during a long career.
But Australian neuropsychologist Rod Markham on Wednesday called on the world soccer regulator FIFA to ban heading after compiling what he believes is compelling evidence that it does cause brain damage.
Markham's review of published studies from around the world has concluded that brain and neck trauma ranging from minor aggravation to major damage can be caused by repeatedly heading a football.
The severity of injury depends on factors including the frequency of heading, the person's head mass, the size, speed and air pressure of the ball and the angle at which the head makes contact with the ball.
Investigations into the possible damage caused by heading have come up with mixed results, but Markham said his review of trials around the world had shown more evidence pointed towards brain injury than against it.
"The worst problem occurs when a person head-butts somebody else's head or the goalpost, and they've been shown to have the same impact on the brain as hitting concrete," said Markham, who is from Sydney.
"But even with heading just the ball itself, over a period of time it seems these micro-impacts are cumulative."
In November 2002, a British coroner ruled former England international forward, Jeff Astle, had suffered neurological damage as a result of the repeated heading of balls during his career. He died in January that year aged only 59.
In one US study last year, male soccer players at high school, amateur and professional levels were found to have poorer attention, concentration, cognitive flexibility and general intellectual functioning than those who did not play soccer.
Those who said they headed balls more often were more impaired than players who did not use the technique as frequently.
"I should like to request consideration of the banning of heading in all soccer matches played due to the cumulative and often acute and long-term brain injuries," Markham wrote in a letter to FIFA.
"Your consideration of this matter is considered urgent."
In lieu of a ban, Markham suggested players could be made to wear protective headgear. mdr
"Even some sort of padding to the head would minimise the damage done," he said.
J'imagine déjà la gueule de DD avec un machin come ça sur la têtesg.sports.yahoo.com/040526/1/3kl81.html
Fais chier l'anglais 
Attention l'abus de têtes est dangereux pour la santée ! 
:cry2:
