Dean Ashton
Dean Ashton’s soccer dream has ended. The oft-injured 26-year-old striker, scorer of some good goals and certainly a man with plenty of prove, has called it quits after failing to recover from an ankle injury he sustained in 2006. The tackle, inflicted by Shaun Wright-Phillips of all people, happened at an England training camp, and despite making 35 appearances in 2007/08, he’s played just four games since. Doctors warned Ashton that if he continues to play, he risks being unable to walk in the future.
Scott Duxbury, WHU’s chief executive, is sad: “This is a sad day and our thoughts are with Dean. I would like to place on record our thanks to him for all his efforts and wish him the very best. I would also like to thank the fans for their patience and understanding during what has been a difficult time.”
The ex-Crewe and Norwich striker is reportedly looking at legal action over the injury, and whether he can recoup lost future earnings from SWP’s employers at the time, Chelsea. The Blues would surely pass it on to the English FA as the injury happened at a national team training session, though the PFA is strongly advising that he reconsider.
I know some of you guys are law school types, so I’d like to hear some of your thoughts on assumption of risk in Ashton’s case (and all of football), as well as it relates to the whole NFL concussion controversy.
PFA strongly advising he consider = Cushy non-working job somewhere, right?
@Nathaniel: The thing is, both the FA and West Ham have insurance that should provide Ashton with a substantial payout (essentially the equivalent of workers comp if you or I were injured on the job). The only way Ashton himself sues is if he thinks he can collect more, and yeah I don’t think a lawsuit against SWP would be all that successful. Otherwise, I could maybe see a kerfuffle between West Ham and the FA’s insurance companies over who has to pony up for the payout, but Ashton would be on the sidelines over that one.
Poor Deano. Poor West Ham. It sucks. And Ian Wright played for us, so his stepson should have been more considerate.
As I understand it, the tackle would have to have been so far outside of the normal scope of all football tackles to have any chance of winning in a lawsuit. Basically Deano would have to be in the shower, and Shaun would have to come in studs showing and take him out.
Insurance, however, is another matter.
Basically Deano would have to be in the shower, and Shaun would have to come in studs showing and take him out.
Dear Penthouse Forum:
You’ll never believe what happened to me the other day…
Sign him up Rafa!