Former Wales international Alix Popham has criticised rugby's governing bodies, saying he is "f***ing angry" about the rate of progress of the landmark brain injuries lawsuit brought against them.
The 46-year-old, who won 33 caps for Wales, revealed six years ago that he had been diagnosed with early onset dementia and probable chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). He has since become a prominent advocate for player welfare and brain health in sport.
Legal action and lack of resolution
Legal action was launched against rugby's authorities in 2020, with more than 1,100 players involved. The players claim that World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union, the Welsh Rugby Union, the Rugby Football League (RFL) and the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) failed to put in place reasonable measures to protect them from serious brain injuries during their careers.
Six years on, there has been no resolution. The case was brought back from the brink of collapse last month after the lawyer at its heart announced he was stepping away. New representation has since been found, but Popham has voiced his frustration, accusing rugby's authorities of wanting to "kick the can down the road for as long as possible".
Popham's anger and concerns
In an interview with the Daily Mail, the former Newport and Scarlets forward said: "I'm f***ing angry. We're six years down the line and we aren't any further ahead."
He added: "We're on a f***ing hamster wheel that's just going around and around and around. The job of the defendants is to kick the can down the road for as long as possible. We're not even arguing over f****** brain damage yet. It's f****** been six years. What's being lost in all this is the impact on the humans involved. Think of the people we've lost since 2020."
Pointing to the deaths of New Zealand rugby players Shane Christie and Billy Guyton, who were both posthumously diagnosed with CTE, Popham said: "Ex-players have killed themselves because of their suffering. Lots of ex-players are struggling badly. Some have lost everything. They are sofa surfing or washing in streams. Some are homeless. We've got a lot of vulnerable ex-players who want their day in court."
Popham's stance on rugby safety
Popham, who has faced accusations of "ruining" the game by raising safety concerns, insists he still loves rugby but does not care how he is perceived. He said: "I still love the game, but we're not being honest. I've had so much s*** from people saying I'm trying to ruin it. I couldn't look in the mirror if I stuck my head in the sand and was not being truthful about what is happening. I'm happy to shout from the rooftops about this. I genuinely don't give a f*** about what people think of me. I'm not trying to ruin rugby. Rugby is ruining itself."
Popham added: "The game as it is, is not safe. So many lives are being affected by it. Kids are starting contact in rugby at nine and should not be doing it. No way. Parents aren't being told the truth. I won't let Darcy my youngest even play touch rugby anymore. It's sad to say because I love rugby. But I've changed over this six-year period as I've become more educated on this issue."
