Marseille ‘considering personal injury claim against Nigel de Jong’

Posted 10/10/2010

French football club Marseille have hinted that they are considering a personal injury claim over Hatem Ben Arfa’s recent injury.

The striker, who is on loan at Newcastle United, broke his leg in challenge with Manchester City’s Nigel de Jong in a Premier League match on October 2nd 2010.

Although he was not given a yellow or red card by the referee during the game, de Jong has faced widespread criticism over the challenge and was dropped from Holland’s international squad.

Speaking to French TV over the weekend, Marseille chairman Jean-Claude Dassier appeared to suggest that the club is considering legal action against the midfielder.

“We will file a complaint against de Jong. It’s about getting rid of this type of individual from European grounds,” he commented.

Although personal injury claims are rare in professional football, there have been pay-outs.

In 1999, former Bradford City star Gordon Watson successfully sued an opponent over a tackle in a Division 1 game.

Last year, former West Ham United man Dean Ashton was reported to be considering a personal injury claim against Shaun Wright-Phillips after suffering an ankle injury during a tackle with the then-Chelsea midfielder in 2006.

Simon Davis, a partner in the Ashtons Legal personal injury team, comments: “People engage in sport to test themselves and make the most of their abilities. It can be the route to a very good living. You might think that you waive any right to compensation if you are hurt. Not so: rules are there to prevent or minimise injury. If you break the rules and cause injury, there is a very good chance that the injured party can sue successfully. Professional sportsmen and women tend to have the backing of a club and have insurance. Amateur players may not be so lucky. 

“At Ashtons Legal, we have successfully pursued footballers, rugby players, golfers, badminton players, motorsport and horse carriage drivers. It pays to play within the rules.”