Coroner links CTE to heading in 1966 World Cup winner Nobby Stiles

A coroner has ruled that repeatedly heading footballs caused chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in Norbert "Nobby" Stiles, the 1966 England World Cup-winning midfielder. The senior coroner at Stockport Coroners' Court recorded the cause of death as Alzheimer's disease, with CTE, another neurodegenerative condition, and cerebrovascular disease listed as contributing factors.

Stiles, who died in October 2020 aged 78, had an estimated 140,000 headers during his career. Neuropathology expert Dr Daniel Du Plessis testified that he was "quite convinced" on the balance of probability that the repeated heading caused the CTE. The court heard that Stiles headed the ball approximately 40 times a day, five times a week, over each 10-month season.

The inquest revealed that Stiles suffered from "high stage" CTE alongside stage three limbic predominant age-related TDP-43. Senior Coroner Alison Mulch noted the irony of the ruling occurring on the day of England's World Cup semi-final against Argentina, stating it seemed "strange" to have the conversation on such a day.

Stiles' family has campaigned for better support for ex-players, criticising the football industry for failing to assist those with injuries sustained during their careers. His son John highlighted the financial strain of his father's declining health, noting the sale of Stiles' medals in 2010 as his condition worsened. John described the industry as "rolling in cash" yet failing to support vulnerable former players.

The Football Association is phasing out heading in youth football up to under-11s by 2026. A 2019 study co-funded by the FA and the Professional Footballers' Association found that footballers were three-and-a-half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative disease than age-matched members of the general population.