Coroner Rules Nobby Stiles Died of Brain Disease Caused by Heading Footballs

An inquest has concluded that England 1966 World Cup winner Nobby Stiles died with a brain disease directly caused by heading footballs during his career. The finding adds to a growing body of evidence linking heading to neurodegenerative conditions in footballers, following similar verdicts involving Jeff Astle and Gordon Banks. The ruling is expected to intensify calls for stricter limits on heading in training and match play.