An exhaustive new study has concluded that the risks of developing Motor Neurone Disease are more than eight times higher among those who sustain repeated blows to the head and spine in top level sport, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

The most definitive investigation of its kind ever undertaken into cases of the fatal neurodegenerative disease, which has afflicted rugby union’s Doddie Weir and Joost van der Westhuizen and football’s Fernando Ricksen, Stephen Darby and Lenny Johnrose, has discounted the idea that blows to the head sustained in amateur or park sport can be a cause.

But repeated blows sustained at a high technical level, where competitors are faster and stronger, creates a much greater risk, according to the new study — which identifies football, rugby, American football, hockey and motor racing as sports which might undertake further investigation into possible links.

Former South Africa star Joost van der Westhuizen was diagnosed with MND in 2011 and passed away in February 2017, from the disease at the age 45

Consultant spine surgeon Mike Hutton, one of the study’s lead researchers, told The Mail on Sunday on Saturday night: ‘As far as we can see, there is a link.

‘We now need more research to further investigate that link and to establish whether we need to adjust our approach to sports, as those who play them at the top level get faster and stronger.’

Ricksen, 42, who spent six years at Rangers, can now only speak with the aid of a machine.

‘I welcome this attempt to understand what causes this illness,’ he told The Mail on Sunday on Saturday. ‘We have to do everything we can to prevent others developing it.’

Fernando Ricksen, who spent six years at Rangers, can only speak with the aid of a machine

The study — which adds weight to our long-running campaign for research into the long-term effects of blows to the head in sport — was welcomed on Saturday night by football and rugby’s governing bodies, as well as the Doddie Weir Foundation, which raises money for funding research into MND.

But all parties said that more research is needed into the disease, sometimes known as the ‘Athlete’s curse’ because it affects a disproportionate number of sports people. One or two people in every 100,000 are diagnosed with the disease each year.

The new findings are based on a review of 16 studies of incidence of the disease, undertaken by scientists from eight medical establishments worldwide. The experts were looking for evidence of whether playing organised competitive sport at either professional or amateur level, with or without repeated blows to the head and cervical spine, created a greater risk.

Stephen Darby, pictured after marrying Steph Houghton in June, retired from football after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease

It is the first attempt to pull together multiple previous studies which cover football, American football, basketball, athletics, ice skating and general sport.

The research goes nowhere near as far as a longitudinal study — monitoring the health of sportsmen and women over time compared with others from the general population — or an examination of post mortem evidence.

But despite a growing awareness of football and rugby players developing the dementia known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy, there have been no long-term studies into MND’s possible links with individual sports.

Mr Hutton said: ‘We think the numbers are significant — 8.5 times higher. There may be other factors. A certain body mass index or muscularity, which makes people more likely to play top level sports of this kind. We don’t have that detail. But no one has done this kind of investigation and the findings point to a need for a greater understanding.’

Sean McGrath, head of medical strategy at the Doddie Weir Foundation, said: ‘Now we need to find ways of better evaluating whether what the study points to is the case.’

A spokesman for World Rugby said: ‘While this study is a review of published research over a number of years and therefore not qualitative or rugby specific, we welcome its publication and insights. It does not address the actual risk, only a relative risk, while no rugby studies were included in the study. The key is further research.’

An FA spokesperson said: ‘The FA is committed to researching and examining all areas of head injuries in football, in particular around the long-term effects on players.’

On Saturday there was yet another case of concussion in sport when Hull KR captain Joel Tomkins was taken to hospital ‘in a bad way’ during their match with Warrington.

‘My vet asked for 1,000 swabs and at the moment he has got 30’: Frustrated stable bosses unable to start testing for equine influenza

By

Marcus Townend For The Mail On Sunday

Published:
17:05 EST, 9 February 2019

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Updated:
17:30 EST, 9 February 2019

Some of the biggest stables caught up in the shutdown of British racing have barely started testing their horses for equine influenza.

Richard Hannon and Richard Fahey each have more than 250 horses and are among the 174 yards in lockdown.

Hannon said: ‘No swabs have arrived with my vet but he has been assured they will arrive today. 

All race meetings have been cancelled in Britain until Wednesday at the earliest

‘I have not tested anything yet because I have not got the means. It needs to be done as a matter of urgency so we can get racing up and running again.’

Fahey said: ‘If you don’t live in Newmarket you can’t get the testing kits.

‘My vet asked for 1,000 for me and all his other clients and at the moment he has got 30.’ 

 

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Exhausted Jo Konta COLLAPSES on court after three-set victory over Aleksandra Krunic secures Great Britain’s win over Serbia in Fed Cup

• Jo Konta beat Aleksandra Krunic 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 in the Fed Cup on Saturday night
• Victory means Great Britain beat Serbia to progress to promotion playoff in April
• Konta collapsed exhausted on the court after winning the final point in Bath
• She was comforted by her mother courtside after being picked up by captain 

By

Mike Dickson for The Mail on Sunday

Published:
17:15 EST, 9 February 2019

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Updated:
17:21 EST, 9 February 2019

Jo Konta collapsed into a ball of tears after bringing herself back from the point of collapse to bring Great Britain victory in the Fed Cup.

Amid dramatic scenes at the end, Konta was comforted on court by her mother after she dug deep within herself to beat Serbia’s Aleksandra Krunic 7-6 3-6 6-2.

The British No 1 had gone down on her haunches when leaving the court after the second set, over wrought and exhausted, and needed to be given a medical check before being allowed to continue.

Jo Konta collapsed on the court, exhausted, following her three-set victory in the Fed Cup

Konta was helped up by Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong after giving her all in the tie

Great Britain’s successful team pose with the flag after securing their victory over Serbia

Konta added later that she felt ‘light headed and shaky’ following the second set, likening it to an ‘out of body experience.’ 

As can be the case in these instances, the drama also skewed the concentration of her opponent, who played an error strewn third set while Konta remained resolute.

After Katie Boulter’s earlier win it gave GB a 2-0 win and they now proceed through from this eight-team Euro Africa zone group to participate in a promotion playoff to reach World Group level in April. East London’s Copper Box is a possible venue if they get a home tie.

After the emotion Konta recovered herself for the post-match ceremonies and said:’I’m feeling pretty rubbish. This means a lot to all of us.’

Asked if having her parents watching gave her more motivation she replied: ‘It would be nice if it was that romantic. I wanted to understand quickly my limitations and bring the most out of myself possible.’

Delighted GB Captain Anne Keothavong said:’I’m just so proud, it has been an unforgettable week, these girls are stronger than they realise.’

Konta is embraced by her mother courtside after her dramatic victory over Aleksandra Krunic

Konta plays a shot during her match in Bath, at the end of a draining few days of action

Krunic lost the first set but rallied to win the second, before Konta managed to win the third

Boulter had laid the foundations by hammering Ivana Jorovic in straight sets.

‘I’m close to tears right now, it has been a really hard week,’ she said. ‘It means everything, I have put everything out there on the court.’

She had never played singles in the Fed Cup before this week, so to reel off four wins is not only an impressive effort but priceless experience that she can take with her when going back on the road in a solo capacity.

She is surely heading considerably higher than her current ranking of 83, and has shown in coming through a series of tight matches that she can scrap, as well as impart easy power on the ball.

Konta eyes up a shot during the match at the University of Bath, which she went on to win

The British No 1 waves to the adoring crowd after securing the vital victory against Serbia

Her progress has been all the more eyecatching as at 18 she missed a whole year of tennis suffering from chronic fatigue, which sometimes made it difficult to get out of bed.

‘I spent a long time off the court and it showed me how much I love the game,’ she said.

Over the last year, working under the tutelage of former British men’s No 1 Jeremy Bates, she has stepped up her workrate, and while the results are showing there are still areas for improvement.

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‘Can I have your shirt please?’ Manchester United star Paul Pogba shows his class by handing his jersey to polite young fan after starring in 3-0 win at Fulham

• Paul Pogba was man of the match after Manchester United beat Fulham 3-0
• The French international spotted a young fan with a polite sign asking for his top 
• He went over to the youngster and duly obliged, giving him a memory to savour
• Pogba’s goal tally has reached double figures for the first time in his career 

By

Peter Rutzler For Mailonline

Published:
15:17 EST, 9 February 2019

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Updated:
15:17 EST, 9 February 2019

Paul Pogba gave one young fan a memory to savour by handing him his shirt after Manchester United‘s 3-0 win at Fulham.

The French international played a starring role in United’s 11th straight game without loss, scoring twice while dominating the midfield.

And at full time one fan caught his eye with a home-made sign that read: ‘Pogba, can I have your shirt please?’

Paul Pogba spotted a young fan with a sign asking for his shirt at Craven Cottage

The 25-year-old then went over and gave his jersey to the clearly delighted young fan

Not one to disappoint, Pogba went over to the away end to offer up his No 6 top, which was warmly received by the lucky youngster. 

United’s record signing had already rewarded the travelling fans with yet another first class display on the field. 

The 25-year-old opened the scoring after 14 minutes with a left-foot drive and added his second from the spot after Juan Mata was fouled by Maxime Le Marchand. 

Pogba looks to have found a new lease of life under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Saturday’s double took his goal tally into double figures for the season – the first time he has done that in his career.   

Manchester United’s record signing scored twice as the Red Devils ran out 3-0 winners

His first goal was a left footed strike from a tight angle, while his second came from the spot

‘It’s always great to score goals but the most important thing is to win games. When you don’t win, it’s not the same feeling,’ Pogba told Sky Sports .

‘I feel great, the team feels good, and we just have to carry on like this. This game was really important. It’s a good sign, it gives confidence to the team. We have to carry on like that to stay in the top four.’

United now turn their attention to the Champions League which returns in earnest this week.

The Red Devils host perennial French champions Paris Saint-Germain at Old Trafford, who look set to be without Neymar and potentially Edinson Cavani.

The Uruguayan international went off injured after scoring the only goal of the game against Bordeaux in Ligue 1.   

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