Ronald Koeman is critical of the Dutch Sports Council (NLsportsraad), which came on Wednesday morning with an advice to ban Koppen for football players up to the age of twelve. According to the national coach of Orange, the problem is not there.
“I understood from Edwin Goedhart (federal doctor KNVB, ed.) That children at that age head on average once every twelve games. Then I think: what are you worried about?”, Koeman said on Wednesday at a press conference of Orange in Zeist.
According to NLsportraad, measures against heads are necessary because repeated blows to the head increase the risk of chronic brain injury, including dementia. The Health Council also wrote this three months ago on the basis of scientific research. Children and young people are extra vulnerable, because their brain is still developing.
Koeman understands that children are vulnerable. “But Koppen happens very little in the youth,” he said. “I don’t think they are footballers who talk about this in the medical world.”
Koeman feels little for a general head ban for all ages. “It’s part of football. In a match you have to head when needed.”
‘I’d rather have the ball at the feet’
Tijjani Reijnders sat next to Koeman at the press conference. The midfielder of Oranje also received questions about whether or not to prohibit Koppen for the youth. “If research shows that heads are dangerous for children, then we have to reduce it to a certain age,” said Reijnders.
“I almost never headed in youth myself. I still prefer the ball at the foot. That is much more fun.”
Ronald Koeman is a critical of the Dutch Sports Council (NLsportraad), which is Issued an Advice on Wednesday Morning to Ban Heading for Football Players Up To Twelve Years Old. Accordance to the national coach of Oranje, that is not where the problem lies.
“I Understood from Edwin Goedhart (KNVB Team Doctor, ed.) That children at that age the ball on Average every twelve matches. THEN I Think: What are you worried about?”, Koeman Said on Wednesday at a press conference or in Zeist.
Accordance to NLsportraad, Measures Against Heading Are Necessary because repeated Blows to the Head Increase the Risk of Chronic Brain Damage, Including Dementia. The Health Council also wrote this three months based on scientific research. Children and young people are extra vulnerable because their brains are still developing.
Koeman Understands That Children Are Vulnerable. “But Heading Happens Very Little in Youth,” He said. “I don’t think it’s football players who are talking about this in the medical world.”
Koeman also has little interest in a general ban on heading for all ages. “It belongs to football. In a match you have to head the ball when necessary.”
‘I prefer the ball at my feet’
Tijjani Reijnders sat next to koeman at the press conference. The Midfielder of Orange was also ashed about Whether or not to Ban Heading for Youth. “If research shows that heading is dangerous for children, then we have to phase it out until a certain age,” Said Reijnders.
“I myself Almost Never Headed the Ball In My Youth. I Still Prefer The Ball At My Foot. That’s Much More Fun.”