A coroner stated that the repetitive heading of a football played a role in the passing of Nobby Stiles, a former England World Cup champion. Stiles, aged 78, who was a renowned player for Manchester United and a key member of the 1966 World Cup-winning team, succumbed to severe dementia. Throughout his career, he headed the ball approximately 140,000 times, as disclosed during the inquest held at Stockport Coroner’s Court.
An examination of Stiles’ brain revealed severe dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a condition linked to head trauma from heading a football. Dr. Daniel Du Plessis, a neuro-pathology expert, expressed his belief in court that Stiles’ extensive heading of the ball significantly contributed to his CTE.
Born in Manchester in 1942, Norbert “Nobby” Stiles was a robust defensive midfielder, representing England 28 times and appearing in nearly 400 matches for Manchester United. His demise in October 2020, following a prolonged illness, prompted his family to advocate for more support from football governing bodies to assist former players in managing injuries sustained during their careers.
Chris Morris, an area coroner for Greater Manchester South, highlighted the need for a full inquest after a brain expert reviewed samples and medical records. Stiles’ death investigation was initiated based on information provided by his family, as it was not initially reported to the coroner’s office.
John Stiles, leading the Football Families for Justice group, has been pushing for increased support from football authorities. The group, including numerous former players and their families, is pursuing legal action against football organizations, alleging negligence and breach of duty regarding players’ health risks associated with heading the ball.
Recent findings from an inquest into the passing of Gordon McQueen, a former Scottish, Manchester United, and Leeds United defender, indicated that heading the ball likely contributed to a brain injury that influenced his death. McQueen, diagnosed with CTE, was part of a growing concern about the impact of heading on players’ long-term health.
The Football Association (FA), in collaboration with the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), co-funded a study in 2019 revealing that footballers face increased risks of neurodegenerative diseases. As a preventive measure, the FA plans to phase out heading in youth football up to under-11s by 2026, aiming to reduce potential health risks associated with the sport.