Brain health fund launched by PFA & Premier League
BBC There have been a number of studies in recent years exploring potential links between heading the ball and developing dementia
The Professional Footballers' Association and the Premier League have launched a new brain health fund.
The PFA will make an initial 1m available to assist former players and their families who have been impacted by dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions.
PFA chief executive Maheta Molango said: "This is an important step forward.
"We continue to believe there needs to be a football-wide responsibility.
"That includes providing access to financial support for former players and the families who most need it."
A group of 30 former footballers and their families, including relatives of 1966 World Cup winner Nobby Stiles, launched legal action against football's governing bodies in November, claiming they had failed to protect them from brain injuries.
