The FA has been granted approval from the International Football Association Board [IFAB] to introduce a new trial to remove deliberate heading in football matches across U12 level and below in England from the start of the new season.

They will now be inviting leagues and competitions across the country to take part in the trial that will run for the duration of the 2022-23 season, due to fears over the link between head impacts and neurological disease.

Should the trial prove successful, the FA’s stated aim is to then remove deliberate heading from all football matches at U12 level and below from the 2023-24 season, bringing matches across these age groups in line with the current heading guidance for training, which already recommends that heading is eliminated or restricted at this level.

The FA will continue to explore further ideas, in consultation with stakeholders in the game, to reduce heading in youth football without changing the fabric of the game. Research has already shown that heading is relatively infrequent in younger age-groups and there is confidence that the move will not fundamentally alter matches at this level.

You can read the FA statement on the introduction of the new trial HERE.