The Football Association is “leading the way” in researching the dementia risk to players, according to its chief executive Mark Bullingham.

Lawyers have confirmed that an action has begun on behalf of former players suffering with the neurodegenerative disease, who plan to seek compensation from organisations understood to include the FA.

Both it and the Professional Footballers’ Association have again this week been accused of not doing enough to support ex-players or acting to protect players by introducing greater restrictions on heading in training.

“I look back on my career, every day when I was young we headed the ball hour after hour. So there is a genuine concern when you do see great players from the era just before me, why shouldn’t it affect my era?”

The chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society, Kate Lee, said there is an “urgent” need for answers on this topic, adding: “We want to see much more research into the links between dementia and football, but this will take time, and needs funding, particularly when all charities, like ourselves, have been badly hit financially by the pandemic.

“Until then, the Alzheimer’s Society is really excited to launch Sport United Against Dementia, seeking to spearhead change by making sure that the very best support is available to all sportspeople.

“As the leading dementia charity, we hope that the industry will embrace the team spirit that has helped win cups, trophies and medals and come out in force to unite against dementia.”