Former England defender Kenny Sansom diagnosed with brain disorder and dementia

Former England and Arsenal defender Kenny Sansom diagnosed with brain disorder and dementia after he was left fighting for his life earlier this year following a drunken row

  • Ex-England defender Kenny Sansom has been diagnosed with brain disorder 
  • The 62-year-old former Arsenal player is also suffering with a form of dementia
  • Sansom was hospitalised and left fighting for his life earlier this year after a fall

Former England left back Kenny Sansom has been diagnosed with a brain disorder and form of dementia.

Sansom was hospitalised and left fighting for his life earlier this year when he suffered serious head injuries in an alleged attack and a fall during a drunken row.

The 62-year-old former Crystal Palace and Arsenal defender is out of hospital now and being treated for Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Former England star Kenny Sansom has been diagnosed with a brain disorder and dementia 

The former Arsenal defender was hospitalised and left fighting for his life earlier this year

The former Arsenal defender was hospitalised and left fighting for his life earlier this year 

It is a disease caused by a deficiency of thiamine — or vitamin B1 — and often linked to alcoholism, although it is reversible and Sansom is making progress, according to his family.

Sansom, who won 86 England caps, has fought a desperate battle with alcohol since the end of his playing career in the mid-1990s, and had connected problems with gambling, homelessness and depression.

He was living in a flat in Devon when injured during the first lockdown in May, and treated at Devon and Exeter Hospital but has since been moved closer to his family in London.

Palace, where he started his career and made his debut in 1976, released a statement last night to update supporters on behalf of his family.

He has fought a battle with alcohol since the end of his playing career in the mid-1990s

He has fought a battle with alcohol since the end of his playing career in the mid-1990s 

‘Kenny is out of hospital and settled in new accommodation,’ it read. ‘But he has been diagnosed with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a type of brain disorder and form of dementia.

‘He is in the early stages of the illness, which is reversible and treatable. With the support of his family and carers, he is on the first steps of his road to recovery.

‘Those closest to him are encouraged by his progress and the positive attitude he is showing in difficult circumstances. The family would like his and their privacy to be respected.

‘As always, everyone at Crystal Palace Football Club wishes Kenny well, and we look forward to welcoming him back to Selhurst Park again soon.’