Raphael Varane, the talented defender who recently joined Manchester United, has opened up about the damage he has caused to his body due to the repeated impact of heading the ball. In an interview with L’Equipe, Varane revealed that he once played on “autopilot” during a France World Cup game in 2014, despite suffering from concussion. He is now advocating for better protection and awareness of the issue, particularly among young players.
Varane’s concerns are not unfounded. He strongly advises his seven-year-old son against heading the ball, emphasizing the potential long-term harmful effects of repeated shocks. “Even if it doesn’t cause any immediate trauma, we know that in the long term, repeated shocks can have harmful effects,” Varane stated. He believes that the dangers of headers should be taught on all amateur football pitches and to young people.
The French defender cited two specific instances where he played while concussed. The first was during France’s quarter-final defeat to Germany at the 2014 World Cup. Varane had been hit on the head in a match against Nigeria a few days prior but decided to play against Germany nonetheless. “I finished the [Nigeria] match but I was in ‘autopilot’ mode,” he admitted. “The staff wondered if I was fit [to play Germany]. I was weakened, but ultimately I played and rather well.”
Varane acknowledges that as professional footballers, they are accustomed to pain and often push through injuries. However, concussions are different because their symptoms are not always visible. “As footballers used to playing at the highest level, we are a bit like soldiers, tough guys, symbols of physical strength, but these [concussions] are symptoms which are quite invisible,” he explained.
The issue of concussion in football has gained significant attention in recent years. In July 2021, new guidelines were issued in England limiting professional footballers to 10 “higher force headers” per week in training starting from the 2021-22 season. Additionally, permanent concussion substitutes were introduced in the Premier League in 2021, allowing teams to make substitutions specifically for concussed players.
However, concerns over the handling of concussion in football have led to legal action. Last month, a group of 17 former players and their families began legal proceedings against various governing bodies in the sport. They claim negligence and a breach of duty of care towards ex-players, arguing that minutes of a Football Association meeting in 1983 indicate that the FA was aware of the dangers of concussion and failed to take appropriate action to minimize the risk to players.
The revelations from Varane and the ongoing legal action highlight the urgent need for greater protection and awareness surrounding concussions in football. While progress has been made with the introduction of new guidelines and concussion substitutes, more needs to be done at all levels of the game. The health and well-being of players should always be a top priority, and education about the risks of heading the ball should be a fundamental part of football training from grassroots to professional levels.