Wife of Jeff Astle expresses FA frustration over death
The widow of an ex-England footballer has stated that the FA has failed to accepted how the ‘beautiful game’ contributed to her the death of her beloved husband.
Jeff Astle, a player for Midlands-based outfit West Bromwich Albion throughout the 60s and 70s, passed away 10 years ago. The coroner ruled that 59-year-old Astle, sustained brain damage by way of heading leather footballs for the duration of his career.
The Football Association said that “conflicting opinions” remain on the effects of heading footballs over time. Mrs Laraine Astle, of Netherseal, in Derbyshire, spoke to reporters and told them of her belief that FA doesn’t wish to hold its hand up and admit that the game the public loves the most is actually a killer.
She added that her husband died due to being a prolific header and no one that has played the game since has even come near. Remarkably, over half of the striker’s goals were scored with his head.
Mrs Astle went on to explain how she and the three daughters she had with her husband have been unsuccessful in an attempt to be awarded compensation from the FA, in spite of the coroner’s report. A spokesperson from the FA said that it will carry on liasing with FIFA, the world governing body, on this issue and others that are related to the health of players past and present.