The inquest was told expert analysis of Stiles’ brain showed his severe dementia was as a result of Alzheimer’s disease but also CTE.
Du Plessis, a consultant neuropathologist at Salford Royal Hospital, said: “In this case, it is quite clear that Mr Stiles had advanced dementia and he died of his dementia – that is the primary cause of death here.”
He said: “Added to the mix was CTE – we know it is caused by people who have head injuries.
“I’m quite convinced his heading the football that many times has caused his CTE.”
The senior coroner asked Du Plessis: “What you are saying is that the CTE that Mr Stiles clearly had, you are satisfied on the balance of probability, the cause was heading the ball?”
He replied: “Yes. This is a very complicated issue and it is important to use such a death to highlight – that we do now know repeated head injuries have an impact on the brain.”
The coroner, recording the cause of Stiles’ death as Alzheimer’s disease with 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 evening.
