The late Joe Kinnear, former manager of Wimbledon and Newcastle, has become a focal point of discussion following his diagnosis and subsequent passing due to dementia. His family has voiced their belief that he and his colleagues were let down by football’s governing bodies. Kinnear’s daughter, Russ Doffman, disclosed that Kinnear and others may be suffering from the repercussions of repetitive heading drills that were common in their era.
Doffman has spoken out about the Kinnear family’s decision to take legal action against football’s governing bodies in an attempt to seek justice for affected players and their families. The lawsuit aims to address the organizations’ negligence in safeguarding players from the risk of permanent brain injury resulting from repeated concussive and sub-concussive impacts sustained during their careers.
The toll of Kinnear’s dementia on his family was deeply distressing, with Doffman recounting the heartbreaking decline and personality changes that emerged as the disease progressed over an 11-year period. She expressed sincere sentiments, highlighting the necessity for improved education and support for players, as well as financial assistance for families dealing with the burden of care expenses.
Against this backdrop, the FA has recently implemented a new rule aimed at phasing out deliberate heading in grassroots youth matches, acknowledging the potential risks associated with such practices. Doffman applauds this as a positive step, while also emphasizing the importance of enhancing players’ understanding of the consequences of heading, in hopes of better protecting future generations from similar struggles.
In Kinnear’s case, Doffman expressed her disappointment in the lack of support and financial aid from the football industry, underlining the need for organizations to fulfill their duty of care, especially for those facing neurodegenerative conditions. While the PFA and the Premier League have launched a brain health fund, she expressed a desire for a more comprehensive system that provides holistic support for affected families.
The involvement of former players and their families in the legal proceedings underscores the urgency of the matter, shedding light on the need for football authorities to take player welfare seriously and implement measures to mitigate the risks of brain injury. As the football community grapples with these pressing concerns, it is crucial that the lessons learned from such experiences inform the way forward, ultimately fostering a culture of safety and support for all those involved in the beautiful game.
