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<p>The safety, wellbeing and welfare of everyone taking part in sport is absolutely
paramount. I welcome work by the football industry to protect players from harm and
provide practical support to former players who develop neurodegenerative conditions.
One example of this is the Professional Footballers’ Association’s Football Brain
Health Fund, supported by the Premier League and announced in September 2023, which
aims to assist former players and their families who have been impacted by dementia
and other neurodegenerative conditions.</p><p>The Government has no plans to legislate
in this area, but will continue to liaise with the football authorities about their
work to protect players and provide support, including funding initiatives.</p><p>The
Government continues to take the issue of head injuries very seriously. In December
2021 DCMS published its Command Paper report on concussion in sport, outlining the
steps the Government is undertaking to help reduce risks associated with head injuries
by improving understanding, awareness, prevention and treatment of concussion in sport.
As part of this, in April 2023 the Government announced the first UK concussion guidelines
for grassroots sport, in conjunction with the Sport and Recreation Alliance. This
guidance is intended to be a helpful tool in reducing the risks associated with concussion
and marks an important step in making sport safer for thousands of people who enjoy
sport at a grassroots level, as well as an aid to professional sports.</p>
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