Officiating football games caused Nobby Stiles’ brain disease, the coroner confirmed

The diagnosis, according to an expert analysis of Stiles’ brain, was that the severe dementia was not caused by Alzheimer’s disease, but also by CTE.

Du Plessis, a neuropathologist at Salford Royal Infirmary, said: “It is clear in this case that Mr Stiles had severe dementia and died of a mental disorder – that is the main cause of death here.

“Added into the mix is ​​CTE – we know it’s caused by people who have had head injuries.

“I’m pretty sure he’s caused CTE many times over the course of football.”

The senior coroner asked Du Plessis: “What you’re saying is that Mr Stiles clearly had CTE, are you satisfied on the balance of probabilities that he was driving the ball?”

He replied: “Yes. It’s a very complicated issue and it’s important to use a death like this to highlight – we now know that repeated head injuries have an effect on the brain.”

Streilis listed the cause of death as Alzheimer’s disease with CTE, a condition known as “stage three limbic prematurity associated with TDP-43” as a contributing factor, as well as cerebrovascular disease.

She added, referring to England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday evening: “It seems strange that we are having such a conversation today.”