Souness tackles issue of football's links with dementia

Football legend Graeme Souness joined Chichester-based charity Dementia Support, over Zoom for an evening - and discussed everything from his extensive career as a player and manager, to how the links between dementia and football will change the future of the game.
Graeme Souness was the star guest for Dementia Support's Zoom eventGraeme Souness was the star guest for Dementia Support's Zoom event
Graeme Souness was the star guest for Dementia Support's Zoom event

Fans of Souness logged on to watch the interview and ask their own questions.

Hosted by Sussex Newspapers sport supremo Mark Dunford, Souness candidly spoke about his favourite moments as a player, the footballing greats he got to play alongside, including Diego Maradona, and how the game had changed since he played, describing it as less rough and aggressive than it was.

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He shared many anecdotes, including one from his time at Galatasaray and his own account of how he was attacked by a spectator and how his daughter had to go to school with an armed guard afterwards, at which point Lauren chimed in to say he was forgiven.

Souness shared his opinion on research linking football and dementia, with a focus on the impact of heading the ball; saying: “If it can be proven that one person is suffering, they have to come up with a way of playing football without that being an issue.” He called for the Premier League to be proactive in their approach to bringing about ‘fundamental change’.

Lisa Oeder, head of fundraising and communications at the charity, praised Graeme for his openness.

“I would like to thank Graeme for giving his time freely to support this fundraising event and for speaking so honestly about his career. The research currently on football and dementia shows how important it is to talk about the issue and help raise awareness,” she said.

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Souness also discussed the mistakes he believes he made in his career, especially as a manager, and how it was the wrong time for him to have taken over Liverpool, admitting he took a few jobs without thinking.

He spoke about how he knew it was time for him to retire and become the successful pundit he is now.

The event finished with a question-and-answer session with Souness, allowing people to ask him anything they wanted.