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Brain health

Brain Health in Football

Introduction

Protecting Players. Supporting Families. Advancing Understanding.

The PFA hasa comprehensive and continually evolving programme of work around players brain health, supporting members across their entire journey - from education and early detection, to care for former members living with neurodegenerative conditions, and investment in world-leading research.

This work is delivered by a dedicated in-house team, supported by clinicians, third-party experts and football stakeholders. It includes emotional and practical support for families, direct clinical access, and long-term advocacy to shape football’s response to these complex issues.

Former Member and Family Support

Our Brain Health Team works directly with former players and families affected by neurodegenerative conditions, such as dementia, motor-neurons disease and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. Every case is different - so support is personal, flexible, and grounded in care.

Key services include:

  • Emotional and practical support
  • Casework and advice to navigate health and social care processes
  • In-person family visits
  • Peer support groups and carer education
  • A dedicated Admiral Nurse, funded by the PFA and delivered via Dementia UK 
  • Fast-tracked referrals to clinical specialists
  • 3,600+ hours of direct family support per year

Football Brain Health Fund

A key part of this work is the Football Brain Health Fund, launched by the PFA and Premier League in 2023. It provides financial support to former players with a confirmed neurodegenerative diagnosis, helping families with care, adaptations, therapy and other practical needs.

Impact at a Glance:

  • £3m+ allocated since launch
  • 180+ families supported to date
  • Awards range from £2,500 to £60,000
  • 84% of recipients received more than they originally applied for following assessment.

More information:

 

Player Education

The PFA delivers bespoke scientifically-driven in-person brain health workshops to players across the EFL and WSL. These sessions cover:

  • The link between repetitive head impacts and brain health
  • How to identify and respond to concussion
  • Best practices for heading in training
  • The potential brain health risks and ways to mitigate them
  • Long-term lifestyle factors that support brain health

In the Premier League, equivalent sessions are delivered via the league’s appointed provider. The PFA team works collaboratively with the Premier League to ensure messaging is evidence-based and consistent across the game.

 

Research and Scientific Collaboration

We fund and support scientific studies that are shaping football’s understanding of brain health risk.

Key studies include:

FIELD Study (University of Glasgow): Found former professional footballers were 3.5x more likely to die of a neurodegenerative condition than matched controls. Follow-up analysis identified defenders as the highest-risk group.

  • FOCUS Study (University of Nottingham): Linked frequency of heading and concussion symptoms with lower cognitive scores.
  • These studies remain globally leading for understanding the risks associated with heading and concussion in football.

The PFA is currently funding the ABC Clinic:

  • Based at the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH) in central London, the Advanced BRAIN Health Clinic provides a specialist clinical service and research programme for mid-life retired male and female professional footballers.

Policy and Advocacy

The PFA is using its voice to push for change — from regulatory improvements to legal recognition.

Our priorities include:

  • Formal classification of sport-related neurodegenerative disease as an industrial injury
  • Introduction of temporary concussion substitutions to protect medical decision-making
  • Evolution of the Heading Guidance for players through the Academy to senior professional football

Despite not being an employer or governing body, the PFA has led provision where others have not - and continues to call for shared responsibility across the game


Contact us

For more information, please contact the PFA Brain Health team on:


Peter Clarke visits ISEH Advanced BRAIN health clinic