FA confirms head injuries panel after campaign by Jeff Astle's family
An expert Football Association panel on head injuries and concussion will meet for the first time next month following a long campaign by the family of West Brom legend Jeff Astle.
The FA confirmed today that the panel has been formed, comprising medical experts in the field of head injuries, and will meet for the first time on what would have been Astle's 73rd birthday.
The announcement, which had been expected, is the latest victory for the family of Astle, who died in 2002 from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which tests showed was caused by heading the ball during his career.
FA chairman Greg Dyke has held regular meetings with Astle's family and was at The Hawthorns on Saturday for 'Jeff Astle Day', which celebrated the late striker's life.
An FA statement today confirmed the panel will meet for the first time on May 13, led by eminent neurosurgeon Peter Hamlyn.
Head of performance services at the FA, Dave Reddin, said: "The role of the expert panel is to monitor and advise The FA and other football bodies on the appropriate guidelines for all levels of the game.
"We have seen an improvement in guidance and communication in this area of sports medicine but we are conscious there is potentially much more to do across what is the nation's largest and most popular team sport.
"The group will also be asked to help advise on how football's world governing body should examine and research any long-term effects on the brain through head injury or repeated concussion episodes.
"We have taken a few more weeks to institute the group than anticipated, due to a new structure forming at St. George's Park, and the willingness and desire to ensure the work is thoughtful and thorough. I genuinely believe we now have the right people on-board to be able to provide the right level of insight for such an important issue."
The panel will also include Dr Bob Cantu, a neurosurgeon and researcher from the United States, UK-based trauma neurosurgeon Professor Antonio Belli, neuropathologist Dr William Stewart, Dr Simon Kemp, chief medical officer of the Rugby Football Union, neuropsychologist Dr Joanna Iddon and neurologist Dr Richard Sylvester.
The panel will also be observed by representatives of the Premier League, Football League, Professional Footballers' Association, as well as Reddin and the FA's head of medical services, Dr Ian Beasley.
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