A Member of Parliament has called for legally binding restrictions on heading footballs during training sessions, citing concerns over long-term brain health.
Current guidance in England and Scotland already recommends limits on heading in training, but the MP argues that voluntary guidelines are insufficient and wants legislation to enforce them.
The proposal comes amid growing research linking repeated heading to neurodegenerative diseases. The Football Associations in both nations have implemented age-specific heading restrictions in youth football, but the MP believes stronger legal measures are needed across all levels.
Katie Gornall and Melissa Sharman, BBC Sport correspondents, reported on November 11, 2026, that the MP's call adds to ongoing debates about player welfare in football.
