Liz Jarvis MP welcomes FA call for brain injury research but demands more immediate action

Liz Jarvis, the Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh and a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, has welcomed the FA's call for independent research into the long term impact of heading injuries, but she is also demanding more immediate action.

Jane Nicholl, who is a constituent of Ms Jarvis’, lost her husband to chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Chris Nicholl was a respected footballer, who played for Southampton and Aston Villa. Chris fought a long battle with CTE, but did not receive any support from the Professional Footballer’s Association Brain Health Fund before his death in February 2024. Jane feels he was badly let down. 

Commenting, Liz Jarvis MP said:

“There is a terrifying link between heading a football and brain injuries. This is football’s open secret, and both Ministers and football governing bodies have a duty to support footballers with brain injuries and their families.

“Jane Nicholl’s story is sadly one that many families have faced. It is a tragedy that so many footballers have been affected by neurological conditions.

“Whilst I welcome that the FA has called for independent research into the impact of heading, the scale of this problem means that action has to be taken urgently.”

More information can be found in this Southern Daily Echo Article here.