Chris Sutton has opened up on the devastating impact that dementia had on his father as the Premier League winner called for temporary concussion substitutes to be introduced in football.
Sutton has spearheaded Sportsmail’s campaign for football to do more to tackle dementia, which includes the proper treatment of head injuries during matches.
Sutton’s father, Mike, a former professional footballer, died on Boxing Day following a 10-year battle with dementia.
Chris Sutton broke down in tears while opening up on his late father’s battle with dementia
Mike Sutton, a former footballer, died on Boxing Day following a 10-year battle with dementia
Sportsmail pundit Chris Sutton pictured with father Mike before his passing last year
Mike became a professional footballer for his hometown club Norwich City, as well as Chester and Carlisle United before a knee injury ended his playing career at 28
The former Norwich City, Celtic and Blackburn striker broke down in tears as he told BBC Breakfast’s Sally Nugent that his father had forgotten how to use a pen, such was the impact of the disease.
‘He used to write a diary. And then one day he picked a pen up and he didn’t know how to use it,’ Sutton said in emotional scenes.
The 48-year-old is pushing for lawmakers to change the current rules on concussion substitutes.
At present, permanent concussion substitutes are in place, but critics fear that change does not help medics make a carefully considered judgement on a player, since they still have to conduct their assessment in the brief moments available on or by the pitch.
‘The temporary concussion replacements need to be put into place, at this moment in time it’s the permanent ones but they are not in the players’ best interest,’ he added.
‘I’ve seen numerous incidents this season where similar things have happened where players have a head injury and they are not taken off the pitch.
‘You think well, to look after a player correctly surely the most sensible thing is to take your time, get them off the pitch, let an independent doctor – and it’s important it’s an independent doctor – look at them in the sanctuary of the dressing room.
‘Take the time and if everything is okay in the meantime you have a sub on so you’re not actually disadvantaged because of this.’
Sutton is campaigning for football to introduce temporary substitutes to treat concussed stars
Over the weekend, Sheffield United’s George Baldock played on after a concussion check only to come off five minute later very groggy
Sutton believes that situation would be avoided if temporary replacements were introduced
Over the weekend, Sheffield United’s George Baldock was allowed to continue playing against Leeds United after obtaining a head injury, having initially continued after being checked but came off five minutes later feeling groggy.
‘It would be laughable if it wasn’t so sad,’ Sutton told Sportsmail. ‘The sight of a player being given the old “follow my finger” treatment on the pitch and deemed fit to continue.
‘Ten minutes later, he’s off with signs of concussion. When will football learn? This extra permanent concussion substitute isn’t convincing any clubs to take their players off immediately.
‘Instead they let them play on, when they’re more at risk of an even worse injury. That’s what happened with George Baldock.’
Sutton is spearheading Sportsmail’s campaign for football to do more to tackle dementia
CONCUSSION SUBS
Football’s rulemakers decided to introduce permanent concussion substitutes, not temporary ones.
The reasons for the move, given by the International Football Association Board, were to:
- prevent a player sustaining another concussion during the match as multiple head-injury incidents can have very serious consequences
- send a strong message that, if in doubt, the player is withdrawn but there is no numerical or tactical disadvantage by prioritising the player’s welfare
- reduce the pressure on medical personnel to make a quick assessment
Last month, Sutton told MPs that former PFA chief Gordon Taylor had ‘blood on his hands’ over his handling of the crisis.
‘The fact is the FA and PFA [Professional Footballers’ Association] have not done anywhere near enough. They have ignored, shunned, turned their backs on a massive issue,’ he said.
‘Hundreds of players have died. My father among them. And we do not even know what has happened in the amateur game. They have not been interested. Gordon Taylor has blood on his hands.
‘We have to recognise this and we cannot keep talking about it. There are things we can do and we can put in place.’
The last 12 months have seen a number of deaths and diagnoses relating to dementia among former footballers, including the passing of England World Cup winner Nobby Stiles aged 83 in October.
He was suffering from the Alzheimer’s for more than 10 years, and Stiles’ death was followed by the announcement that Sir Bobby Charlton, 83, had been diagnosed with the condition.
This came hard on the heels of the death of Jack Charlton aged 85, who had dementia and lymphoma.
In all, five members of the England World Cup-winning side, including Ray Wilson and Martin Peters, have now suffered with dementia.
