Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing reveals fears over ‘heading the ball’

Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing has revealed his fears over heading the ball in matches, amid growing concerns over player safety. 

The Danish international is one of the few players to speak openly about the issue that his become so prominent within the modern game.

In recent weeks, talks over the current concussion substitution rules in the game have been rife, as football’s lawmakers look to offer more protection to players. 

And it’s understandable as to why they are doing so, with more and more ex-pros suffering the consequences from their actions on the pitch. 

That, evidently, is something that still concerns Billing, as he revealed how he’s now ‘wary’ on the pitch after seeing a number of players retire from injury. 

Bournemouth midfielder Philip Billing has revealed his fears over heading the ball in matches

The Danish international admitted he tends to ‘pull out’ of aerial challenges with defenders

In an interview with The Times, Billing said: ‘Playing with my feet was the way I had been brought up. When they see a tall player in England they think he has to be good with his head. 

‘But it is one of those things you either have or you don’t. To be good with your head you have to have a certain aggression in you to go and attack a ball when you have five bodies in front of you.’

‘First and foremost, if I’m in a game and I see a 50-50 and I see a big centre back and I know they are not going to pull out, then I won’t go in. Unless the ball is bouncing, and I know if I don’t win this then they are through on goal. 

‘But I am wary about using my head because I do know you see players having to retire [because of head injuries].’

‘Deep down [I know] if there is a ball that I am not going to get or not going to win, then I am not risking clashing my head. That’s just how I am. Some people, they don’t care, they just go for anything and I care.’

Just last month, the Premier League ramped up pressure on rulemakers to introduce temporary concussion substitutes – with 18 out of 20 clubs calling for a trial to start next season.

However, football’s lawmakers stood by their decision not to introduce a trial of temporary concussion substitutes after a meeting at the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in London.

The 26-year-old has spent four years at Bournemouth and made over 150 appearances

Clubs in England are currently permitted to make two permanent concussion substitutes under an ongoing trial, which has been extended to allow for more data to be collected.

The Premier League sent a letter to IFAB arguing for the introduction of temporary concussion subs, with 18 of the 20 clubs in favour.

But IFAB have opted not to side with the Premier League, though insist the prospect of introducing trials for temporary concussion subs will remain under ‘constant review’.

The introduction of temporary subs is one of the two outstanding points on the seven-point charter Sportsmail launched with its campaign for football to tackle dementia in late 2020.