“An MP is calling for legal safeguards to limit repetitive heading in football training, amid growing concerns about the risk of brain injury. Grahame Morris, the Labour MP for Easington, submitted a parliamentary motion on Tuesday urging the government to take action to reduce the number of times a player can head the ball in training. Researchers have found footballers are three and a half times more likely to die from a neurodegenerative disease than the general population. …”
BBC

Hear the goals during the afterlife’: Barça fans get to inter ashes at club’s new memorial
“Lifelong supporters of Barcelona football club will soon be able to cheer on the club from beyond the grave – but, like everything else at Barça, eternal devotion comes at a price. As part of an upgrade to the Camp Nou, the club has inaugurated the Memorial FC Barcelona, consisting of 26,000 niches where fans can deposit their ashes after their own final whistle has blown. Supporting the team from the afterlife will cost €2,490 (£2,082) for 10 years or €6,000 for 50 years, with an annual maintenance fee of €70. Guaranteeing your niche for eternity will set you back €10,000, with a further €490 for a memorial plaque. …”
Guardian

The hallowed treble – who’s next?
“NEXT year will be the 60th anniversary of the first ‘treble’ – European Cup, domestic league and cup – won by a club in a single season. Celtic’s remarkable triumph set a new benchmark for European football and since then, it has been achieved 10 times. …”
Game of the People

Mancini on unexpected Italy success, France test and ‘giving fans something to cheer’”
“Roberto Mancini admits few expected Italy to challenge France for top spot in the Nations League group tomorrow, but they hope to ‘give the fans something to cheer’ and break their San Siro hoodoo. … Italy are currently second in the Nations League Group 1 on seven points, as France are on top with 10, while Belgium follow behind on six. …”
Yahoo

An eternal shame’: Bilic and Croatia aim to use 7-0 humbling as fuel against England
“As Croatia prepare to face England at Wembley on Thursday in the Nations League, wounds from a humiliating defeat by the same opponents last month are fresh and there is a lingering feeling of unease. No one will say it – certainly not Slaven Bilic, who always believes in achieving goals that may seem unreachable to most others – but the impression is that Croatia would be satisfied to accept another defeat, provided it was gentle enough by score and hard‑fought by approach; that this game is not so much about the points as the (self-)respect they can regain. …”
Guardian