Concussion within sport inquiry to be launched by parliament in bid to tackle the growing issue... with hearings being held by medical experts as well as players and sporting governing bodies
- DCMS will haul some of football's leading figures, like Gordon Taylor, before MPs
- A statement released confirmed that two concussion hearings will be held
- Risk mitigation and scientific evidence will be reviewed at a hearing
- Along with steps sporting governing bodies are taking to deal with concussion
Parliament has confirmed that it will launch an inquiry into concussion in sport.
Sportsmail revealed on Saturday that the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee was to haul some of football's leading figures before MPs, including Professional Footballers' Association boss Gordon Taylor.
And a statement released on Tuesday says that two hearings will be held at which risk mitigation and scientific evidence will be reviewed, along with the steps the PFA and governing bodies across sport including the Football Association are taking to deal with what has become a significant issue.
Parliament have intervened and will launch an inquiry into concussion within sport
The first session will hear from medical experts while the second will hear from players and governing bodies.
DCMS Committee Chair Julian Knight MP explained: 'This inquiry will consider scientific evidence to link sport with the incidence of long-term brain injury.
'We will look particularly at what role national governing bodies should be taking and their responsibilities to understand risks involved for players and what actions might be taken to mitigate them.
'We're seeing a number of cases involving brain injury in sport likely to reach the doors of our law courts and we will also look at the implications for sport in the longer term of any successful legal claim.'
The DCMS will haul some of football's leading figures before MPs, including Gordon Taylor
Chris Sutton, who has spearheaded this newspaper's campaign calling on football to finally tackle its dementia scandal, welcomed parliament's intervention.
'This is been long time coming,' he said. 'Across all sports not enough has been done. There's been so many mistakes made in the past, with not enough urgency or action taken and it's important we learn from it.
'Since we started the campaign back in November it's grown arms and legs. We've got great momentum and this is another part of the process. Hopefully we can keep pushing on and getting somewhere.
'We've had success but we still need to sort temporary concussion subs and heading limits, along with measures to protect current and future generations. The progress has been pleasing but it does not end here.'
Sportsmail launched a campaign last November for football to tackle its dementia scandal
The move comes as a group of politicians and former players, inspired by Sportsmail's campaign, wrote to the Government to demand a hearing before Christmas.
Alistair Thompson, a spokesperson for FIFA Ethics & Regulations Watch which was behind the call, said: 'This is an important step which will review the latest scientific evidence and test whether those who run football and other sports are doing enough to protect their players from concussion and potential brain damage.
'Significantly, this Committee can put pressure on the Government to take action if they find current safety measures and restrictions are inadequate.'
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