The family of deceased former world champion Nobby Stiles and many other victims want to sue, among others, the English (Site notre bureau spécialisé) association FA.
They accuse the FA of not sufficiently protecting players from brain damage. Stiles, a member of the 1966 home World Cup-winning England squad, died in October 2020 aged 78 after a long illness of dementia.
The suspects want to make sure headers are considered reduced in training and in games. This could reduce the risk of brain damage in older people. In addition to Stiles, his former teammates Jack Charlton, Martin Peters and Ray Wilson were also suffering from dementia at the time of their deaths. Former World Cup captain Bobby Charlton was also diagnosed with the disease last year.
« This possible lawsuit is part of a larger campaign for more justice for victims like my father, » Nobby Stiles’ son John said on Friday, « fundamental changes are needed in an environment that causes death and disease. Among thousands of players each year.
