Joint Statement on the UK Government Response to the Concussion in Sport Inquiry

The Government has published its response to the Concussion in Sport enquiry carried out earlier this year. UKABIF contributed to the enquiry, which took evidence from many academics, sports people, charities and campaigners.

The Concussion Legacy Foundation UK, The Jeff Astle Foundation, Progressive Rugby, and The UK Acquired Brain Injury Foundation have produced a joint statement on the Government's Response.

The response is a positive step forward in the issue of sport-related brain injury. Many of the proposed recommendations and actions are important developments that will protect players from brain injury in sport. It is now incumbent on the Government to work with all stakeholders to deliver on these commitments.

Whilst we are encouraged by the Government’s response, it appears they have missed an opportunity to engage and include many of the committed not-for-profit organisations who have decades of expertise in managing, researching, and educating on concussions both inside and outside of sport. The Concussion in Sport Research forum should be inclusive of the wide array of stake holders including athletes, clinicians, and researchers from a variety of disciplines.  We look forward to the opportunity to contribute to this group.

The response contains no mention of CTE or early-onset dementia and associated conditions. There is no proposed action to develop guidance and support for the many ex-athletes and their families who are currently suffering with the consequences of sport-related neurodegeneration.  The enquiry was established in response to athletes and their loved ones calls for help and change, which seem to have been ignored. This will inevitably be very upsetting to those most in need right now.

Dr Michael Grey, Trustee of the UK Acquired Brain Injury Foundation, commented “We are pleased to see the Government agree with many of the recommendations in our Time for Change report. This is a step forward and we look forward to working with the Government to implement these actions on sport-related brain injury.  The addition of the Medical Research Council will provide the transparency and oversight that has been lacking in research funded by the professional bodies. UKABIF will welcome the opportunity to contribute to the sports concussion research forum.”

Dr Adam J White, Executive Director of the Concussion Legacy Foundation UK, said “the UK Government response has missed the mark completely on addressing the long-term issues associated with repetitive head impacts in sport, such as CTE. And it is this issue the Government, despite hearing exceptionally powerful testament from families and athletes, has neglected and ignored”.

Dawn Astle, daughter of Jeff Astle, commented, “It’s so very disappointing to see that this document does nothing to address the implications of the long term damage caused by repeated head impacts in sport. For me, it shows a complete lack of respect to all those who have died completely stripped of all dignity and human nature and to all those who are living with the consequences of CTE and dementia now. It’s unforgiveable. I assumed, this would be a real opportunity for the Government to push Football to look after and support all those who are suffering and dying just because they played the game. I assumed incorrectly”

Rachel Walden, who’s dad Rod Taylor was diagnosed with CTE following his footballing career, said “Every time we have to describe our fathers illness, their decline into dementia, their ultimate death, it is re-opening the wound of grief, so when we provide testimony to inform people who don't know what is going on in football and in particular the devastation of CTE and repetitive traumatic brain injuries, we do it in the hope that whoever is listening is really listening.   The release of this Government’s response to the DCMS Committee on Concussion in Sport proves that no one listened because how can a report not even mention the crisis in football and the fact that footballers are dying from a preventable dementia.   This is an industrial disease, the numbers affected is horrifying and the sporting stakeholders are complicit in stonewalling the families and now in tandem with the government – shameful”.

British and Irish Lion and Ex-England Hooker, Steve Thompson MBE said, “This is a kick in the face by the Government to completely ignore the real issue of early-onset dementia and CTE. Concussion protocols are important. Research is important. But there is nothing in this response that will prevent CTE from happening or that will help families manage with the years of care and support they will need to give. It’s a sick joke”.

Bill Ribbans, of Progressive Rugby, said: “It is important that the government now drives the outlined ‘actions’ forward. We look forward to the development of shared protocols towards concussion across all sports that are informed by independent research and advice from scientists and clinicians unfettered by allegiances to specific sports.”