Former France Defender Calls for Header Ban in Youth Football
Raphael Varane urges a ban on header training for children, citing health risks and long-term damage.
“There is now equipment and technical aids that can help the youngest players.”
Raphael Varane has spoken out against header training for children, citing numerous health risks. In an interview with RMC Sport, the 2018 World Cup champion expressed his concerns about the long-term effects of heading on young brains.
Varane strongly warns against forcing children to train in heading, calling it “pointless” and “extremely dangerous.” He emphasizes that children's brains are still developing, making them vulnerable to potential damage.
The former centre-back suggests introducing mandatory head protection for young footballers, similar to shin guards. Varane believes this could help mitigate the risks associated with heading and protect children's health.
Varane laments that France has been slow to implement safety measures, unlike other countries that have already taken steps to protect young players. He advocates for a more proactive approach to ensuring child safety in football.
The father of two has spoken out in favour of actively protecting young footballers. Among other things, the 78-time France international brought up the idea of mandatory head protection, suggesting similar regulations to those for shin guards.
Although this would not completely minimise the risk, Varane said: “There is now equipment and technical aids that can help the youngest players.” Although it is sometimes necessary in sport to accept pain in order to improve, damage to health should not be accepted under any circumstances, especially at youth level.
Raphael Varane, a former exceptional header, now advocates for caution, highlighting the potential long-term damage and concussion risks associated with heading. As a renowned player for Real Madrid and Manchester United, he stresses the importance of balancing sports values with safety measures. Varane suggests implementing controls and possibly discussing a complete ban on heading for young players to prioritize their health and well-being.
Frequent headers in football can lead to minor brain trauma, increasing the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. Dr. Matthias Pawlowski, a neurology specialist, warns about the potential long-term consequences of repeated headers.
In Germany, the DFB has adopted age-specific guidelines to mitigate these risks. They recommend introducing targeted header training only at age 13, prioritizing player safety and development.
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