FA to commission brain-damage study

LONDON - England's soccer authorities on Thursday invited applications for independent research into whether playing the sport heightens the risk of degenerative brain disease in later life.

It follows a campaign by the family of former West Bromwich Albion striker Jeff Astle, whose 2002 death from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) was linked to repeatedly heading heavy leather soccer balls.

The Football Association and players' union the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) made the call for research following 18 months of consultation and analysis.