A footballer’s widow who has campaigned tirelessly for action to tackle Alzheimer’s says a complete ban on heading the ball would be a ‘fitting legacy’ for legend Denis Law.
Amanda Kopel, 74, successfully lobbied for Frank’s Law after her husband died with the degnerative disease. The law change gives free personal care to anyone who needs it regardless of age or illness in Scotland.
Ms Kopel called for further action following the death on Friday of Scotland and Manchester United striker Law four years after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
There are now calls for the beautiful game to be made safer to prevent other players succumbing to the degenerative brain disease, which has been medically linked with heading the ball.
Ms Kopel said: ‘The changes we have achieved are Frank’s legacy and Denis Law’s should be a ban on heading the ball at all levels of football.’
Her husband, a former Dundee United player, died in 2014 following a lengthy battle with dementia, and a career that included playing for Manchester United alongside Denis Law.
‘When I lost Frank, concerns were being raised about the dangers of heading the ball but it’s only now that people are sitting up and taking notice,’ she added.
‘There were nine players who played with Frank at Manchester United who all died with dementia, including Denis Law, Bobby Charlton and Nobby Stiles – that’s not a coincidence.’
Denis Law pictured with Frank and Amanda Kopel
Law believed that his condition was linked to heading the ball – and spoke publicly about his concerns.
Consultant neuropathologist Professor Willie Stewart of Glasgow University carried out research five years ago that showed footballers were three-and-a-half times more likely to die from a neurodegenerative disease than the normal population.
Mrs Kopel added: ‘I was so sad to hear about Denis. He was a gentleman and everyone loved him. He was also a great advocate for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.’
Law, who died on Friday at the age of 84, is immortalised in a statue at Old Trafford alongside George Best and Sir Bobby Charlton.
He represented Scotland in the 1974 World Cup and was capped 55 times and is the only Scottish player to have won the Ballon d’Or, which he was awarded in 1964.
Tied with Kenny Dalglish on 30 goals as Scotland’s record scorer, the Aberdeen-born striker is known by fans as The Lawman and The King.
Yesterday, groups involved in the fight against Alzheimer’s – the UK’s biggest killer – said it was ‘heartbreaking that the country had lost a sporting hero to such a cruel condition.’
Hilary Evans-Newton, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: ‘It is sad to hear that one of the UK’s greatest footballers has passed away with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.
Law represented Scotland in the 1974 World Cup and was capped 55 times
‘Denis was world-renowned for his incredible goalscoring prowess, and it is heartbreaking that we have lost a sporting hero to such a cruel condition.
‘Dementia remains the UK’s biggest killer, claiming more than 75,000 lives in 2023. Right now, almost one million people in the UK are living with dementia, and tragically not one of them will survive.’
Kate Lee, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Society said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the news that Alzheimer’s Society supporter, Denis Law, has died with dementia.
‘We need to get everyone talking about dementia – the health and care crisis of our time – because a problem of this scale won’t go away on its own.’
Mike Edwards, of Scottish campaign group Heading Out, which aims to make football safer, said: ‘Heading the ball is dangerous and should be removed from the game. A full-time footballer will head the ball thousands of time a week during training.’
While Mrs Kopel welcomed the Scottish Football Association’s decision to ban heading the ball in football training for the under-12s in schools, she believes the ban should be widened.
‘Nothing is going to bring my husband or any of the other players back but we must protect future generations of footballers.’
Last night, tributes poured in for Denis Law.
First Minister John Swinney said: ‘In his later years, Denis bore his illness with great dignity and bravery, leading from the front when raising awareness of the real challenges and difficulties that come with Alzheimer’s.
‘Denis was one of Scotland’s great superstars who brought joy to people both on and off the pitch. We were very lucky to have him.’
Former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Law as ‘the greatest Scottish player of all time.’
And former Scottish national teammate Sir Kenny Dalglish, said: ‘Thanks for the great memories. My hero.’
Scotland’s men’s national team X account said: ‘A true great. We will not see his likes again.’
Yesterday, football crowds honoured the legendary striker with a minute of applause before the day’s Scottish Cup games.
