[syriacus]

When they were diagnosed there was a scare that the chemicals used on courses might be the cause. I have not heard of anything coming of this, but it is interesting.

I remember the concern about playing fields, too.

[syriacus]

From another forum in 2002:
Italy: ALS rates up in soccer players

My husband has been diagnosed with ALS and was a juvenile soccer/rugby player. Personally, we believe that people may be off the mark to believe that "doping" or even excessive muscle use are responsible for a connection of soccer with ALS. We believe the culprit is much more likely to be the chemical--pesticides, herbicides, greening agents, etc.--with which the playing fields are treated. My husband has tested positive for a high lindane level, which is a potent neurotoxic pesticide. I seriously doubt whether Lou Gehrig's was a "doper"; but he certainly was exposed to chemicals on the field. (Lindane, I believe, was patented in 1938.)