MPs will examine links between sport and long-term brain injury
in an inquiry to be launched on Wednesday 3 March.
The Concussion in sport inquiry will consider
scientific evidence for links between head trauma and dementia
and how risks could be mitigated with two sessions, the first
taking place on Tuesday 9 March.
The Committee will also take evidence on the implications for
youth sport, funding for further scientific research, and the
role of national governing bodies and major sporting
organisations in ensuring member clubs receive up to date medical
advice and promote good practice.
In the second session of the inquiry, MPs will hear from
individual players and governing bodies.
The inquiry will not consider material involved in on-going legal
proceedings, however it will consider potential implications of
successful legal action and what impact that could have on sport
in the longer term.
DCMS Committee Chair said:
“This inquiry will consider scientific evidence to link
sport with the incidence of long-term brain injury.
“We will look particularly at what role national
governing bodies should be taking and their responsibilities to
understand risks involved for players and what actions might be
taken to mitigate them.
“We’re seeing a number of cases involving brain injury in
sport likely to reach the doors of our law courts and we will
also look at the implications for sport in the longer term of any
successful legal claim.”
ENDS
Submitting evidence:
The DCMS
Committee is inviting written submissions to the inquiry.
The Committee is aware of ongoing court proceedings and, due to
the sub judice resolution of House of Commons, will not publish
any material that may be directly related to those proceedings.
Further information:
The first of two evidence sessions will be held on Tuesday 9
March. Witnesses will be announced in due course.
The inquiry will not consider individual cases of brain injury.
