Why did Serie A club Como 1907 ban heading for Under-11 players? Raphaël Varane says there's an ‘absolute need to protect our kids’

Is this one of football's most cautious and thought-provoking decisions? Serie A club Como 1907 has become the first to ban headers in its youth academy, a move guided by board member Raphaël Varane.

The former France international, who joined the club's Board of Education in October 2024, announced the decision on July 24–25, 2026. Studies suggest that former defenders face around five times the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases compared to the general population.


So, what do fans think? Could this lead to further structural changes from FIFA or the FA? Let's dive into every detail and more. Scroll down!


The Italian club unveiled a groundbreaking academy-wide heading pathway, becoming one of the first football teams to introduce such comprehensive restrictions on heading.

Under the new policy, players under the age of 11 are completely banned from heading the ball in both training and matches, with corners and throw-ins replaced by ground passes, according to Straits Times. Older age groups will be gradually introduced to heading with lighter balls, while strict limits will be placed on training sessions and repetitions.


The Lariani introduced the new pathway in response to growing evidence linking repeated heading to long-term brain health risks, especially among young players whose brains are still developing.


Raphaël Varane, who experienced multiple concussions during his playing career, most notably during Real Madrid's UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second-leg clash against Manchester City in 2020, played a key role in driving the initiative to help protect children from avoidable head impacts.

Explaining the decision, Varane said, "I have spoken several times before about the need to take head impacts seriously in football and the absolute need to protect our kids," on Como's 1907's Official Academy Announcement.


The internet is mostly praising the move for prioritizing player health over unnecessary injury risks.

One user on X(formerly Twitter) wrote, "Top tier move. Player safety should always come first. More clubs need to follow their lead."

Another commented, "Long-term health matters way more than a few headers in youth football."

A third lauded the initiative, writing, "This is how lived experience influences policy direction. Great man."

However, not everyone agreed with the decision. Some fans criticised the move, with one writing, "Ban headers??? They shouldn't even try doing this to football. So what you're saying now is that crosses will become very useless."



The highly decorated defender introduced a structured heading pathway to make youth football safer while supporting long-term player development:

• Under-10s: No heading at all. Corners and throw-ins are taken on the ground.
• Under-11s: Heading remains banned, with limited end-of-season technique sessions using lightweight rubber balls.
• Under-12s: One heading session per month, capped at a maximum of five headers.
• Under-13s: One heading session per week in training (maximum five headers), with no heading permitted in matches.
• Across all age groups: Repetitive heading drills are reduced, and over-inflated balls are avoided to minimise unnecessary head impacts and create a safer learning environment.

According to the National Library of Medicine, growing evidence suggests that repeated heading, particularly among children, may increase the risk of cognitive problems and neurodegenerative diseases later in life.

Researchers believe that repeated sub-concussive impacts can affect developing brains over time, even when they do not cause an immediate concussion. While an occasional header is unlikely to cause harm on its own, the paper also explores how repeated heading over many years may increase the risk of dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions


For the time being, the global governing body for football has not introduced a worldwide ban on heading in youth football.

Instead, national football associations and clubs are taking their own steps based on the latest scientific evidence. England's FA will phase out deliberate heading in grassroots matches up to the Under-11 level from the 2026-27 season, while similar restrictions have already been introduced in France and several other countries.


There are several films and documentaries that have highlighted how this is a major issue for athletes. Let's explore the following, especially after Como 1907's historic decision.

Concussion (2015): Starring Will Smith as Dr. Bennet Omalu, the film follows the physician who uncovered the link between repeated head trauma and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in American football.

Head Games (2012): Featuring Christopher Nowinski and concussion expert Dr. Robert Cantu, this documentary explores the impact of concussions across multiple sports, including soccer. It highlights the long-term risks of repeated head injuries.

League of Denial (2013): Produced by PBS Frontline, the documentary investigates the NFL's handling of brain injury research through reporting by journalists Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru.


The Damned United (2009): Starring Michael Sheen as legendary manager Brian Clough, the film captures the physical and mental demands of professional football. While it is not centred on brain injuries, it reinforces the importance of protecting players throughout their careers.

Him (upcoming): Starring Tyriq Withers and Marlon Wayans, the upcoming horror film uses football-related brain trauma as a central theme. Although fictional, it reflects the growing conversation around player safety and the concerns.