Moves to ban children from heading footballs in Scotland are set to become a reality in light of damning evidence linking the sport with dementia.

The SFA is to take guidance from experts with president Rod Petrie and vice-president Mike Mulraney to submit a range of changes to the board.

It would make the SFA the second organisation in the world to make the decision for players under 12, following on from the US Soccer Federation.

Mounting pressure has been rising on Scotland's football governing body following a comprehensive study led by the University of Glasgow, which showed for the first time a direct link between dementia and football.

Glasgow Times: Ex-SFA chief Gordon Smith called for heading to be banned in kids' footballEx-SFA chief Gordon Smith called for heading to be banned in kids' football

READ MORE: Ex-SFA chief Gordon Smith calls for ban on kids heading footballs after dementia link

Dr Willie Stewart, who was at the forefront of the study, found former professional players in Scotland were five times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s Disease and overall had a three and a half times more likely to die of a neurodegenerative disease over the age of 70.

The study sparked a number of calls for greater safeguarding of our younger players, with former SFA chief Gordon Smith among those asking for a ban.

Gordon, who played with Rangers and Kilmarnock, previously told the Evening Times: "I believe because of what has happened and because of the evidence we have, I do agree with the Americans that the younger kids under 12 should not be heading the ball.

"The mind is just developing at that stage. What I would say is that the younger kids should practice technique with a soft plastic ball.

"One of the biggest problems they had in days gone by was that there was a lot of practice heading sessions.

READ MORE: Glasgow parents warned about football injury risk after Glasgow study finds dementia link

"Billy McNeil was my manager at Manchester City and he said to me his strength was heading the ball. He used to practice every day.

"He used to get the goalkeeper to kick the ball and he was head it as hard as he could back up the field and that’s something we should cut out.”

It's thought that a ban could be introduced by January.

An insider told the Sunday Mail said: “While the study says the findings can’t automatically be applied to the grassroots game, they’re clear this shouldn’t be a barrier to doing the right thing in the circumstances.

“It’s a clear statement of intent. It should have no obstacles to implementation.”

An SFA spokesman said: “The board will give full consideration to the findings of the study and make  any recommendations for the benefit of the national game in full co-operation with medical experts.”