BOSSES at an East Renfrewshire sports club have welcomed the Scottish Football Association's move towards a ban on heading in the under-12s game.

The SFA is reported to be close to imposing such a ban in training, although the timescale for introducing it is unclear.

The United States has had a similar ban in place since 2015 but the SFA's move would make Scotland the first European country to impose such a restriction.

It follows the publication of a study by the University of Glasgow last year which found footballers are three-and-a-half times more likely to die of a neurodegenerative disease than age-matched non-players.

The SFA said it would finalise the proposals "in early course."

It is understood there is consensus between the SFA board, the professional and non-professional game boards and medical representatives to recommend such a ban.

It could be in place for the grassroots season, which runs from March to November.

Giffnock Soccer Centre, one of Scotland's largest youth football clubs, has backed the move.

The club announced a policy last October to remove the heading of footballs across its smaller-side squads, up to and including the seven-a-side teams.

Craig Inglis, club chairman, said: "Although some of the ongoing scientific studies are yet to report, there is a growing consensus among the medical community that heading the football contributes towards players developing dementia and other brain conditions later in life.

"We have a responsibility to our players and would rather give families clear direction on this issue.

"We welcome news of a ban. Our football development work focuses on building skills with the feet 'on the deck' and this is what we will be focusing on."