Kids shouldn’t be allowed to play rugby or to box because contact sports are form of child abuse, study says

KIDS should not be allowed to play rugby or take part in boxing because contact sports are a form of child abuse, a study says.

Researchers say they can lead to brain injury and neurodegenerative disease, and schools that allow them do so without informed consent.

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Kids should not be allowed to play rugby or take part in boxing because contact sports are a form of child abuse, a study says[/caption]

Eric Anderson, professor of sport at the University of Winchester, said: “Cultural perception is that striking a child outside sport is abuse but [in sport it is] somehow socially acceptable.

“The brain’s damaged in both.”

Last night, rugby body the RFU said compared to a global child obesity epidemic, it believes the sport has a “role in keeping people active and healthy”.

The research comes as over 200 retired rugby stars sue three of the sports governing bodies, claiming the organisations failed to put in place reasonable measures to protect them from brain injuries.

Among the former players involved in the High Court case are England’s 2003 World Cup winner Steve Thompson.

He revealed in 2020 he had been diagnosed with early-onset dementia.

England World Cup hero Steve has previously revealed that he can’t remember the historic 2003 triumph, due to the early onset dementia.

He told The Guardian: “I don’t really remember.

“Like, the World Cup period, I can’t even remember being in Australia.

“And I’m watching the game and I’m just thinking, it’s as if I’m watching the England team now.

“I’m on the pitch – but I cannot remember being there at all.”