Coroner rules inquest needed into Nobby Stiles' death

A coroner has ruled that an inquest must be held into the death of England World Cup winner Nobby Stiles, who died in 2020 at age 78. The court heard that Stiles died with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition linked to repeated head traumas such as heading a football. Neuropathology expert Dr. Daniel du Plessis gave the cause of death as Alzheimer's disease, contributed to by high-stage CTE and other conditions. Area coroner Chris Morris stated that a full inquest is required due to the inclusion of a traumatic injury in the cause of death. Stiles' son John, head of the Football Families for Justice group, has previously said football "killed" his father. The family is among dozens of former players suing football authorities, claiming negligence over brain injury risks from heading the ball, though the FA has argued the link is not scientifically established.