Football backlash over dementia funding with £1m plan 'sickening' and 'an insult'

In December 2021, Stiles' family said they had been told his brain was severely damaged by heading the ball.

John revealed that at the time, saying: "He told us that the damage to my dad's brain was very severe and could only be explained by him heading the ball over the sustained period of his career.

"It confirmed what he had believed for a long time.

"My mother's exact words when we suggested donating the brain were, 'if it stops one person suffering the terrible torment of dementia that he went through, it's worth doing'."

And John has now told the Daily Mail that he finds it 'sickening' the FA were only prepared to invest £1m.

He says he is 'sickened to see that a mere £1m has been allocated to the interim fund.'

And he also says the sum is a 'desultory and an insult to the players and their families'.

He also brands the deal 'cheap and nasty', while adding that it is 'not good enough'.

Football authorities have been under pressure to act with many former players suffering from dementia as a result of the sport.

Jack Charlton died with dementia in July 2020, while his brother Sir Bobby has been suffering over the past three years.

Dr Willie Stewart performed the study on Stiles' brain in 2020 - and explained his findings by saying: "CTE - chronic traumatic encephalopathy - is a progressive degenerative disease only found in people with a history of repetitive brain trauma.

"Brain injury and head impacts are the only recognised risk factors.

"We don't find CTE in patients with dementia unless there is a story of brain injury or head impacts.

"That's why we see it in people who play football and rugby, and who box. The common theme is head impact.

"With Nobby, the CTE was widespread throughout and at a high stage.

"He presented a story which was entirely typical of someone with CTE.

"All of the pathologies you would expect to see were there."

Former England star Denis Law said earlier this year that he had been diagnosed with dementia - but insisted his love for his family remained intact.

“When you get married, you never imagine that decades after making those vows of ‘in sickness and in health’ that you will end up testing them to the limits with dementia," he said in March.

"That you would come to rely so heavily on your partner keeping their vow to really look after you.

“Diana and I have been such a strong team for over 60 years.

"We’ve just celebrated our diamond wedding anniversary and it was such an honour and surprise to get a letter from King Charles.

“We tackle everything together. But living with dementia means Diana has to take responsibility a bit more now although we still come as a team of course.

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"It’s a change for both of us. Her support and dedication is testament to the love we have for one another, to that commitment we made all those years ago at the altar.

"Without a doubt, I’d do the same for her if life had dealt us a different hand. It goes to show that dementia can affect anyone, no matter who you are. I’m extremely lucky to have enjoyed such an amazing career in football.

"Not many people have had the experiences I have had - including winning the World Cup! I have been shown such love from the public.

“Relationships require hard work and patience. Adding a dementia diagnosis into the mix can increase pressure even further.

"It’s all about communication, taking things at your own pace, and reaching out for support when you need it. Dementia can and does affect a marriage but not the love you feel for one another."