After an inquest into the death of 78‑year‑old former England midfielder Nobby Stiles, his son John Stiles says an "epidemic" of brain injuries will grow, especially among women.

John Stiles, founder of Football Families for Justice, noted that Stiles had headed a football 140,000 times in his career. Neuropathology expert Dr Daniel Du Plessis told the court that the repeated heading was likely涉及 his chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CT E).

The FA is phasing out all heading for under‑11s this year, but Stiles says the problem is far larger. He warns that women’s brains are more susceptible and that a proper fund is needed for ex‑players in care homes.

The 2019 FA–PFA study found footballers were three‑and‑a‑half times more likely to die of neurodegenerative disease than the general population. Stiles’ case adds urgency to calls for stricter heading rules.