We will be supporting The Jeff Astle Foundation as part of our activities at the 2023 FA Community Shield between Arsenal and Manchester City on Sunday 6 August.
Jeff Astle scored the winning goal for West Bromwich Albion in the 1968 FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, and was a member of England’s squad for the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. However, he died in 2002 at the age of just 59 after being diagnosed with Early Onset Dementia four years previously.
The Jeff Astle Foundation, which was subsequently set-up in his memory, has become a leading light in raising awareness about the impacts caused by concussion in football and providing support for former players impacted by dementia.
The Foundation will be one of the main beneficiaries of funding generated by the 2023 FA Community Shield, and it will be featured in both the matchday programme and digital assets around the stadium.
In addition, football is working alongside both The Jeff Astle Foundation and the Concussion Legacy Foundation to provide guidance and support to broadcasters on the appropriate ways to commentate on matches when potential concussions and head injuries occur.
Before the 2023 FA Community Shield, the matchday broadcasters will take part in a training session with the Concussion Legacy Foundation, and these will continue to be made available to commentators during the 2023/24 season. We have also produced guidance documents alongside the Premier League, EFL, PFA, Concussion Legacy Foundation and The Jeff Astle Foundation to support broadcasters and commentators further, and they can be accessed below.
The safety of players across all levels of the game is paramount, and we have helped to lead the way in establishing industry-leading concussion guidelines across all levels of the game – as well as taking proactive steps to introduce the world’s most comprehensive heading guidance at every level of the professional and amateur game in England. This season, we will also implement the second year of our trial to remove deliberate heading in football matches across U12 level and below.
FA Chief Executive, Mark Bullingham, said: “The Jeff Astle Foundation has played a vital role in helping to provide valuable support for former professional players that live with dementia. We are very proud to support and raise awareness for this very important cause at the 2023 FA Community Shield, and we look forward to welcoming them to Wembley Stadium on Sunday.”
Dawn Astle added: “The money generated from this year’s FA Community Shield is very welcome. It can be used to support former professional footballers and their families who are living with dementia, and will help to support and create memory groups in football clubs.
“We have also helped to develop this specialist education for journalists to ensure appropriate concussion reporting as science and policy advances. This will mean that when you’re watching a game at home or listening in your car, the broadcasters will be using potential concussions and head injuries as opportunities to educate, which is so important for everyone, especially our youngsters.”
