The coroner, recording the cause of Stiles’ death as Alzheimer’s disease with “high stage” CTE, also said a condition known as “stage three limbic predominant age related TDP-43” had been a contributing factor, as well as the cerebrovascular disease.
She added: “It seems strange that we are having this conversation on a day like today”, referring to England’s World Cup semi-final game against Argentina later on Wednesday.
When he spoke outside court following the inquest’s conclusion, his son also said: “As we rightly celebrate the football heroes of today, 60 years after the heroics of 1966, it is right to remember the people like dad and thousands of others abandoned by an industry rolling in cash.
“It is a shame and a scandal that the industry and the government have failed to support these vulnerable people.”
The FA co-funded with the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) a 2019 study that found footballers were three-and-a-half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative disease than age-matched members of the general population.
The FA is phasing out all heading in youth football up to under-11s by 2026.
The PFA said it had set up several services to support players with dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases, including financially through The Football Brain Health Fund and through The PFA Dedicated Brain Health Team, which offers support with a diagnosis, along with educating current players on brain health.