Amanda Kopel believes banning heading in football honors Denis Law’s legacy
Manchester: The football world is in mourning after Denis Law’s passing. Manchester United led heartfelt tributes before their match against Brighton.
Old Trafford felt like Scotland, with a piper playing ‘Flower of Scotland’ as teams entered the pitch. Sir Alex Ferguson laid a wreath in honor of Law.
Sir Alex, now 83, was joined by other United legends. The stadium fell silent for a touching poem celebrating Law’s legacy.
Law, who died at 84, was a key figure in United’s recovery after the Munich Air Disaster. He brought exciting football to the British Isles.
Amanda Kopel, widow of Frank Kopel, who played with Law, is advocating for a ban on heading the ball. She believes it would honor Law’s memory.
Law suffered from Alzheimer’s and dementia, a fate shared by many players of his era. The link between heading the ball and dementia is now clear.
Other Scottish footballers, like Billy McNeill and Gordon McQueen, have also faced dementia. Just recently, Jimmy Calderwood passed away from early onset dementia.
Frank Kopel died at 65 in 2014. Amanda successfully campaigned for Frank’s Law, which provides free personal care for those in need in Scotland.
“Denis Law’s legacy should be a ban on heading in football,” Amanda said. She noted that concerns about heading have been around for years.
“Nine players from Frank’s time at United have died from dementia. That’s not just bad luck,” she added.
Law believed his condition was linked to heading the ball. Research shows footballers are three-and-a-half times more likely to die from neurodegenerative diseases.
Amanda expressed her sadness over Law’s death, calling him a gentleman and a strong advocate for those with Alzheimer’s.
Law, who also played for Huddersfield Town and Manchester City, is tied for Scotland’s record scorer. He won the Ballon d’Or in 1964, the only Scot to do so.
United has three Ballon d’Or winners who played together, and they are honored by statues outside Old Trafford.
Hilary Evans-Newton from Alzheimer’s Research UK called Law’s passing heartbreaking. Dementia is a major health crisis in the UK.
Kate Lee from the Alzheimer’s Society emphasized the need for more awareness about dementia. It’s a pressing issue that needs attention.
Mike Edwards from Heading Out, a campaign group, stated that heading the ball is dangerous and should be banned. Players head the ball thousands of times in training.
Amanda welcomed the Scottish FA’s 2020 decision to ban heading in training for under-12s but wants the ban to extend further.
“We must protect future generations,” she said, acknowledging that nothing can bring back her husband or the other players.
