CTE

One of the claimants in the rugby league case is Roy Heaney, who played for Wigan and Salford in the 1980s, and was diagnosed with early-onset dementia and probable CTE.

His attorneys argued that past traumatic brain injuries and a possible CTE diagnosis impaired Velasquez’s ability to control his impulses.

He has been diagnosed with early-onset dementia and probable CTE.

"Diagnoses such as MND, probable CTE, Parkinson's and dementia are incredibly serious and we believe this is a problem on an industrial scale."

Both Pallister and Howey are friends of the family of former Middlesbrough defender Bill Gates, who died last year aged 79 as a result of CTE and inspired the Head Safe Football charity, founded by his wife Judith, who helped organise the first adult football match with heading restrictions at Spennymoor Town in 2021.