An expert has linked repeated heading of footballs to progressive brain disease following an inquest into the death of former Scotland defender Frank McQueen. According to BBC Sport on Monday, a consultant neuropathologist at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, Professor Willie Stewart, examined McQueen’s brain after his death. He told the inquest that chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) was present in multiple areas of the brain and that a membrane within the brain appeared torn. “CTE contributed to his death significantly,” Prof Stewart said, adding that the only available causal evidence for the condition was repeated head impacts, specifically from heading a football. Prof Stewart said these symptoms were typical among professional football and rugby players with long playing careers.

Source: Punch January 26, 2026 16:25 UTC