Sir Alex Ferguson has joined forces with 30 other football legends to demand brain injuries caused by heading the ball are classed as an industrial injury.
The ex-Aberdeen and Manchester United boss is one of four former Scottish managers to call for retired players suffering from dementia to get help via the devolved social security system.
The demand comes after former Scotland hero Gordon McQueen, 70, passed away from dementia last Thursday.
The historic declaration states: “For a generation of our greats, they are facing their final injury time – and time is running out.”
A 2019 study by Glasgow University professor Willie Stewart found ex-footballers were about three-and-a-half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative brain disease than members of the general population.
Other research revealed footballers who play in defence are five times more likely to have dementia than non-footballers.
Ferguson, Gordon Strachan, Alex McLeish and Craig Levein, who have all managed Scotland, are among legends urging the Scottish Government to use new social security powers. If the campaign is successful, it would see players with football-related brain injuries qualify for benefit payments.
The statement reads: “The evidence is now clear. Former professional footballers are three-and-a-half times more likely to die of brain injuries, including dementia, than people of the same age range in the general population.
“Brain injuries from repetitive head impacts have resulted in a generation of players being afflicted by this decline in brain function. “These players were injured at work.
"We must recognise that. Those in power must now recognise it, too.
“Under new powers being devolved in Scotland, we have an opportunity to formally classify brain injury in football as an industrial injury. By creating a clear and dignified process, we can honour the legacy of our footballing heroes with action and stop a generation of players falling victim to preventable suffering.
“This would give access to much-needed additional income for former players, their families, and their carers. It is the least we can do for those who have entertained us as part of our national game.
“To help honour that legacy and meet this new challenge, we, the undersigned, are calling for brain injuries experienced by ex-footballers to be classified as an industrial injury. We have a generational chance to support those who entertained us in our national game to be given the support they desperately need.
"For a generation of our greats, they are facing their final injury time — and time is running out.”
Others to back the campaign include former Chelsea and Scotland star Pat Nevin, World Cup goalie Alan Rough, ex-Dunfermline manager Jim Leishman and Dundee United and Scotland star Maurice Malpas.
Hearts legends John Robertson and John Colquhoun signed the statement, as did Scotland star Leanne Crichton and ex-St Mirren skipper Tony Fitzpatrick. Old Firms greats who gave the thumbs up are Paul Elliott, Frank McAvennie, Andy Walker and Mark Hateley.
Labour MSP Michael Marra, who has led the industrial injuries campaign, said: “This is an unprecedented intervention from many of the biggest names in Scottish football, led by the greatest manager in our country’s history. It shows the huge concern throughout the game.
"They all know team-mates and friends who have suffered and died. Former players are three-and-a-half times more likely to suffer the consequences of brain injuries sustained while playing the game. In certain positions, like centre-half, that grows to five times more likely.
“The game knows there is a problem. Steps taken to reduce heading drills before and after games is a reflection of that just as this crucial letter is.
"Politicians and the Scottish Government cannot hide from the facts. We need to get on with recognising this as the industrial injury it is and work to make sure that players can access the support and benefits they deserve.
“Quite bluntly, time is short to make sure a generation of legends receive support. The Scottish Government must act now.”
Ex-Scotland powerhouse McQueen, who scored an iconic goal for his country against England at Wembley in 1977, died after being diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2021.
His brother Iain told the Record before Gordon’s death: “Gordon scored about 30 or 40 goals in his career and the bulk of them were headers. When you think of the Wembley game, now you say to yourself, ‘Was it worth it?’”
In 2021, Manchester United and Scotland hero Denis Law insisted heading the ball was to blame for his dementia.
He said: “What else would it be? You were heading the ball, which was quite heavy in those days, but you didn’t think about it. We just thought it was normal.”
Celtic legend Billy McNeill, who captained his side to European Cup glory in 1967, passed away four years ago from Alzheimer’s. His wife Liz said in 2017: “Heading the ball and the possibilities of concussive effects on the brain needs more discussion.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit continues to be delivered by the UK Government who decide which conditions should be prescribed for the purposes of the benefit.
"We recognise that there are a range of views on Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit which is why we have committed to a consultation in the next few months on our approach to replacing the scheme in Scotland.”
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