World Cup winner Nobby Stiles died with a traumatic brain injury thought to have been caused by repeated heading of footballs, a court has heard. The Manchester United and England great, who won the European Cup in 1968, died at age 78 in October 2020. The injury, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), has long been associated with head trauma.
Family Campaign Leads to Inquest
Stiles' family have been outspoken about the influence of his football career. His son John has said the game "killed" his father. The family campaigned for football authorities to better support ex-players. Chris Morris, area coroner for Greater Manchester South, told Stockport Coroner's Court that neuropathology expert Dr Daniel du Plessis examined samples and medical records, determining the cause of death as Alzheimer's disease but contributed to by high-stage CTE. Morris said a full inquest is needed.
Coroner Questions Lack of Initial Investigation
Morris noted that "for reasons not entirely clear to me" Stiles' death was not reported to the coroner at the time, and investigation only began after the family provided information. He added: "On the basis of that cause of death, particularly the inclusion of a traumatic injury included in the cause of death, I'm satisfied an inquest is required."
Football and Neurodegenerative Disease Link
A 2019 study co-funded by the FA and Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) found footballers are three-and-a-half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative disease than similarly aged members of the public. Stiles played over 400 times for United and won 28 caps for England, but later sold his medals to fund dementia care.
Legal Action Against Football Governing Bodies
John Stiles, head of the Football Families for Justice group, is among dozens of former players and families suing the FA, Football Association of Wales, and English Football League for alleged negligence and breach of duty of care.
