DANIEL PARSLOW has welcomed the launch of a parliamentary inquiry into the link between sport and long-term brain injury - but believes football "hasn't covered itself in glory" on the matter.

The former York City defender was forced to retire from football in 2019 as a result of a concussion sustained playing for the Minstermen in February of that year.

Parslow, 35, has since become involved with Headway, a charity that promotes understanding of head injuries and provides support to survivors.

From next Tuesday, Members of Parliament will call witnesses to examine the effects of sport on brain injuries. Headway chief executive Peter McCabe is set to appear before the inquiry on Tuesday, March 9.

"It's great that people in power are finally realising the risks involved," Parslow told the PA news agency.

"The fact the conversations are being had is a good start and hopefully there will be some clear guidance and protocols put in place to protect players who are playing now, but also youngsters who dream of playing football, that they can do the sport they love knowing they are safe."

The inquiry comes at a time when legal actions across football and both rugby codes are being considered or have been launched, and follows a 2019 study which found professional footballers were three-and-a-half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative disease than age-matched members of the population.

England 1966 World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton's dementia diagnosis was confirmed last year, with four other members of the side - Nobby Stiles, Jack Charlton, Martin Peters and Ray Wilson - suffering with dementia at the time of their deaths.

Former West Brom and England striker Jeff Astle died of a brain injury caused by repeated heading of the ball, a coroner ruled in 2002.

Parslow was struck on the side of the head by a Hereford player's shoulder shortly before half-time. He was deemed responsive enough to return to the field of play but retired from the action at the break. He told Headway that he had a severe headache, double-vision and felt sick.

The Welshman, who served York for more than 11 years, believes the new permanent concussion substitution trial in the Premier League and the FA Cup "misses the point" and favours a longer off-field assessment period and the use of temporary subs.

"The decision is still being put in the hands of a medic who will be under extreme pressure to make a decision on the field of play, there's no reason why they can't implement this tomorrow," he said.

Asked whether Government intervention was required in this area, or sports governing bodies would succeed alone, Parslow added: "Football hasn't covered itself in glory. You only have to look at the rugby union legal case that's happening now - their return-to-play protocols have been questioned.

"Going back to Jeff Astle's case, 19 years have gone by and we're only now seeing something happen and that's wrong.

"Football can't be applauded for that. Hopefully now, finally, with Government pressure and Government involvement it will be the turning point."