The legal pressure has finally eased and the precedent we feared will not take hold in the way we anticipated. It has been a long and draining road to reach this outcome. I am relieved that we can move forward without this constant threat hanging over the future of our …
April 17, 2010
Final supporters
Three years after the event, Ashton United Football Club (now members of the Unibond Premier League) and player Danny White were sued by Marcus Hallows in respect of the injuries received and for loss of earnings – and the judge has ruled in favour of Hallows. Expert witnesses were called in – and were divided on the case – one side (Gary Mabbutt – ex-player) saw the tackle as “reckless”, and the other side (Jeff Winter – ex-Premier Referee) argued that the type of tackle was “commonplace in football at any level”. Ashton United had argued from the start that the tackle was "not malicious" but a "collision" - and also pointed out that the referee and linesmen took any action at the time. Unlike football at the professional level, there was no available video evidence – merely photographs and witness statements – and the judge has made a decision based on only this.
This decision could create a legal precedent in football whereby any injury could result in players or clubs being taken to court, and the financial implications could bankrupt both club and player. Furthermore this seriously undermines the position of the officials within the game if a judge can “overturn” decisions made by qualified people “who were there”. Somehow this verdict MUST be reconsidered – and we must possibly look to setting up enforceable guidelines for all football clubs and players in respect of liability insurance.
If you have any interest at all in the semi-professional game please support this petition. Football is not an “extreme sport” – although it does contain an “element of risk” - and every player knows this from the moment they step out onto the field of play. However this decision could turn the game into a total non-contact sport – at worst it could spell the end for non-league football as we know it – and it is from the “grass roots” level of football that many of today’s superstars have risen – so the decision could have repercussions all the way to the top tier of football in this country.
27May2010 - update - please see new entry on blog ... the same justice system that allows murderers to go free after a couple of years has finally decided on something that it knows NOTHING about ... God help us all in the non-league world ....
Updates
February 26, 2010
We just hit five hundred signatures and the weight of this situation feels heavier than ever. It is exhausting to see how many people realize that this precedent threatens the very game we love. I am tired but I am not stopping now.
Reached 500 supporters
February 24, 2010
Reached 100 supporters
February 22, 2010
6 Comments
Ridiculous decision. RIP non-league if this stands. My lad plays every weekend and this makes me worry he will get sued just for running into someone.
This is absolute madness. If we start suing over tackles the game is finished. It is accidental contact part of playing the sport. What is the ref there for anyway if a judge has to decide weeks later?
Shocking. People forget that non-league is about passion not money. Lawyers are going to kill the best part of the sport.
TOTAL JOKE. Ref saw it and didnt even blow the whistle. How can a judge override that? The game is ruined.
Disgraceful. Football is a contact sport and everyone knows the risks when you step on the pitch. This will bankrupt every small club in the country if they have to pay legal fees for every bad tackle.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
The legal pressure has finally eased and the precedent we feared will not take hold in the way we anticipated. It has been a long and draining road to reach this outcome. I am relieved that we can move forward without this constant threat hanging over the future of our …
April 17, 2010
Final supporters
Three years after the event, Ashton United Football Club (now members of the Unibond Premier League) and player Danny White were sued by Marcus Hallows in respect of the injuries received and for loss of earnings – and the judge has ruled in favour of Hallows. Expert witnesses were called in – and were divided on the case – one side (Gary Mabbutt – ex-player) saw the tackle as “reckless”, and the other side (Jeff Winter – ex-Premier Referee) argued that the type of tackle was “commonplace in football at any level”. Ashton United had argued from the start that the tackle was "not malicious" but a "collision" - and also pointed out that the referee and linesmen took any action at the time. Unlike football at the professional level, there was no available video evidence – merely photographs and witness statements – and the judge has made a decision based on only this.
This decision could create a legal precedent in football whereby any injury could result in players or clubs being taken to court, and the financial implications could bankrupt both club and player. Furthermore this seriously undermines the position of the officials within the game if a judge can “overturn” decisions made by qualified people “who were there”. Somehow this verdict MUST be reconsidered – and we must possibly look to setting up enforceable guidelines for all football clubs and players in respect of liability insurance.
If you have any interest at all in the semi-professional game please support this petition. Football is not an “extreme sport” – although it does contain an “element of risk” - and every player knows this from the moment they step out onto the field of play. However this decision could turn the game into a total non-contact sport – at worst it could spell the end for non-league football as we know it – and it is from the “grass roots” level of football that many of today’s superstars have risen – so the decision could have repercussions all the way to the top tier of football in this country.
27May2010 - update - please see new entry on blog ... the same justice system that allows murderers to go free after a couple of years has finally decided on something that it knows NOTHING about ... God help us all in the non-league world ....
Updates
February 26, 2010
We just hit five hundred signatures and the weight of this situation feels heavier than ever. It is exhausting to see how many people realize that this precedent threatens the very game we love. I am tired but I am not stopping now.
Reached 500 supporters
February 24, 2010
Reached 100 supporters
February 22, 2010
6 Comments
You could not make this up. Destroy grass roots football that gives the opportunity to young lads, many rejected by the profession clubs, the chance to play in front of supporters who equally get pleasure. The ones who made this decision must be from planet Zog!
Ridiculous decision. RIP non-league if this stands. My lad plays every weekend and this makes me worry he will get sued just for running into someone.
This is absolute madness. If we start suing over tackles the game is finished. It is accidental contact part of playing the sport. What is the ref there for anyway if a judge has to decide weeks later?
Shocking. People forget that non-league is about passion not money. Lawyers are going to kill the best part of the sport.
TOTAL JOKE. Ref saw it and didnt even blow the whistle. How can a judge override that? The game is ruined.
Disgraceful. Football is a contact sport and everyone knows the risks when you step on the pitch. This will bankrupt every small club in the country if they have to pay legal fees for every bad tackle.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
You could not make this up. Destroy grass roots football that gives the opportunity to young lads, many rejected by the profession clubs, the chance to play in front of supporters who equally get pleasure. The ones who made this decision must be from planet Zog!