The Football Association of Ireland are set to explore new research after the US Soccer Federation said it is hoping to ban headers in fixtures involving players aged 10 and under.
US Soccer said they planned to “eliminate heading for children 10 and under and limit heading in practice for children between the ages of 11 and 13”.
This arose from litigation by a group of players and parents who claim there were 50,000 concussion incidents a year in American junior soccer.
It follows growing awareness of the risk of incurring brain injury through constantly heading a football.
Concerns have already been heeded in England, where the FA convened an independent panel of head injury and concussion specialists in April with a brief to review guidelines in the English amateur and professional game.
Their action was promoted by the work of the Jeff Astle Foundation, a campaign group founded in honour of the former West Bromwich Albion and England striker who died in 2002 at the age of 59. Astle, who was known for his heading talents, was the first British player confirmed to have died from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) - a progressive, degenerative brain disease once known as “punch-drunk” as it was first noted in ex-boxers.
It is thought to be a consequence of suffering multiple concussions, such as the low-level impact of heading a football. In Ireland, the FAI have introduced a new system this season whereby all teams from U8 upwards use the larger size 5 balls.
The weight of the ball varies depending on age group.
It is expected further research will be conducted to assess the risk of headers causing brain damage before any such restrictive measures are introduced in Europe.
The US Soccer Federation said: “Although these are recommendations, they are based on the advice of the US Soccer medical committee.”
“Therefore US Soccer strongly urges that they be followed.
“Protecting the health and safety of athletes and preventing injuries is critically important to US Soccer.”
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