A LOCAL politician has called for neurodegenerative diseases in former footballers to be classed as "industrial injuries".

East Renfrewshire's MP Kirsten Oswald called for the change during a recent debate at Westminster. 

It comes as emerging research suggests a potential link between playing contact sports and the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia, later in life.

According to a study by the University of Glasgow, professional footballers in the UK are three and a half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia than the general population.

Calling for the change, Kirsten Oswald MP said:  “I was pleased to speak in a debate on the links between football and neurodegenerative diseases.

"The research is clear that the links between repeated heading of the ball and future diagnoses of dementia and other associated conditions are real.

“Results from research have shown professional footballers in the UK are three and a half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative diseases like dementia than the general population – an alarming statistic that highlights the urgent need to address this issue.

“It is not just professional players at high-level clubs who are affected, and I would like to see more support for clubs at all levels and more research on the impact on girls and women footballers in particular.

“We already know that women have a greater lifetime risk of developing dementia, so funding research focusing on women football players can help inform decisions regarding the rules of the game and the necessary funding for those affected.

“Reclassifying neurodegenerative diseases in former footballers as an industrial injury would unlock much-needed financial and social support to those affected.”