David Beckham backs group calling on football leaders to support former professionals affected by dementia, as the former Red Devils star joins the mayors of Manchester and Liverpool in calling for more action.

David Beckham has given his backing to a group calling on football leaders to support those affected by dementia.

The Manchester United and England legend has supported the Football Families for Justice group, on a day that saw famous names from across the game gather in the city where he made his name.

A host of former players, including Beckham's former United teammates Gary Pallister and David May, former Everton player and manager Peter Reid, Leeds star Gary McAllister and Liverpool playmaker Jan Molby, They joined the mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool to call for more action and financial help.

Studies have found evidence of a link between football and an increased risk of dementia (3.46 times higher than the general public) and higher rates of death from neurodegenerative diseases, thanks to repetitive heading of the ball.

In 2020, Beckham backed Mail Sport's campaign, fronted by columnist Chris Sutton and John Stiles, son of World Cup winner Nobby, which called on the sport to address its dementia crisis.

That campaign won several victories, but the fight continues. Now Beckham has expressed his support for the FFJ, which is calling on the government to amend the football governance bill and place a legal obligation on football authorities and the PFA to establish a financial support scheme for players and their families.

David Beckham has supported the group Football Families for Justice

A host of former players, including Beckham's former United team-mate Gary Pallister, joined the mayors of Greater Manchester and Liverpool to call for more action.

In 2020, Mail Sport columnist Chris Sutton fronted a campaign calling on football to address its dementia crisis.

“As a young player at Manchester United, I had the privilege of being guided and advised by (former coaches) Eric Harrison, Nobby Stiles and my father's hero, Sir Bobby Charlton,” Beckham said via video message.

'Like thousands of former players, all three died from neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. I want to add my support to the work of John Stiles and Football Families for Justice in their campaign to meet the needs of those affected. We need the football family to come together and allocate resources to help address the tragedy of these devastating diseases.

'Let's make sure victims and their families are treated with kindness, respect and best-in-class support. “I hope you will join us in ensuring a better future for our former colleagues, the many former professional footballers who have brought so much joy to so many fans and their loved ones.”

A video of Sutton was also played at the event. “My father Mike passed away four years ago,” explained the former Celtic, Blackburn and Norwich player. 'He died from heading a soccer ball.

“He had dementia and in the end he suffered terribly. It was very disturbing for our entire family. I send this message on behalf of my family and all the other families of former players who have suffered and died in the most unimaginable way and of former players who still suffer thanks to the lack of support from the football authorities.

“Hopefully with this group getting support, things really start to change because the football authorities haven't done enough. I'm not going to hold my breath, but I have my fingers crossed that the former players and their families start getting the support.” they deserve from the game.'

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, hosted the event, where testimonies were heard from former players, their families, MPs, medical experts and campaigners.