An amateur footballer who needed surgery on his leg when he was brought to the ground by a two-footed tackle from the opposing goalkeeper in a league match has received compensation.
The forward for a team in the Essex County Football Association needed three operations on his leg, which was fractured in two places, after the reckless tackle to his upper left shin in September 2008.
He was approaching the goal with the ball when the goalkeeper attempted the dangerous late tackle.
He suffered nasty fractures to his tibia and fibula which needed metal rods and screws inserted to fix them.
The media professional had to return home to live with his parents for six weeks following the accident and had to take three months off work. He had to take further time off after a further two follow up operations.
He has been left with a permanent dull ache in his leg, which becomes worse in cold weather, and can no longer play football due to the psychological affects of the incident.
The goalkeeper was charged by Essex Football Association, fined £140 and suspended from playing for 140 days.
Following the incident the injured player contacted Thompsons Solicitors for advice about claiming compensation. Thompsons was successful in pursuing a claim against the goal keeper’s household insurers for £16,500.
The footballer, who has played football since he was six, said: “At first I wasn’t comfortable pursuing compensation for a sporting injury but the incident had a huge impact on my life. I was in a tremendous amount of pain and have suffered for a number of years now, my leg will never be the same again.
“The tackle was clearly late and the goalie had time to stop himself before impact but he continued with two feet. No attempt at an apology or explanation, sincere or otherwise, was ever made in person. People need to take responsibility for their actions and you can’t smash someone's leg in half, mess up their life and just get a slap on the wrist.”
Kam Singh from Thompsons Solicitors added: “Acting recklessly on the pitch can lead to serious injury. It's a game but there are lines that shouldn't be crossed. You don't expect to turn out for a game of football and end up with months off work due to someone else's mindless aggression. Off the pitch this could have merited a custodial sentence. Amateur sports players owe those they play with and against a duty of care to play fairly and safely.”
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