West Ham's Gary O'Neil may take legal action following tackle by Aston Villa's Nigel Reo-Coker ?

Gary O’Neil is considering taking legal action against Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker after a tackle that may have put his career in jeopardy.





The 27 year-old was carried off on a stretcher after being challenged by Reo-Coker during West Ham United’s home defeat last Saturday and underwent a two-hour operation on Wednesday evening.



It is understood that the ligament was ripped from O’Neil’s ankle in the impact he suffered during the tackle and he will not be allowed to put any weight on his foot for two months.







There is thought to be anger and frustration at the club at the extent of the damage caused to O’Neil. Chairman David Sullivan said on Thursday: “This has seriously depressed me, terrible for the player and a big loss for the club with Scott Parker out.”



If the worst case scenario does happen and O’Neil’s career is over then it is believed he will consider whether to pursue Reo-Coker for damages which could run into millions of pounds in lost earnings.



There have already been several such claims made in football while, recently, former West Ham striker Dean Ashton considered the same course of action after his career was ended by a training ground challenge by Shaun Wright-Phillips.



West Ham are pursuing the Football Association for ￡6.8 million in damages for the loss of Ashton as they claim the injury he sustained on England duty ended his career. That case is being dealt with by the FA’s insurers but is moving slowly towards a conclusion.



For now O’Neil, a former England Under-21 international who began his career at Portsmouth before moving to Middlesbrough for ￡5 million, is fighting to save his own career. It had been hoped that the cartilage in his right ankle could be screwed back into place but, during the operation, it became apparent that the pieces were too small to do so.



Instead he underwent a micro-fracture procedure where the three areas of damage were drilled and these will fill with scar tissue.



The injury is undoubtedly extremely serious and, it is believed, the surgeon who operated on him is giving O’Neil no more than a 50 per cent chance of ever playing professional football again.









QQ - well, your thoughts on this folks ? :-/



read the full story/article here



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footbal…West Ham's Gary O'Neil may take legal action following tackle by Aston Villa's Nigel Reo-Coker ?
He was starting to show some good signs as well.



Very annoying. Especially considering it was by Reo-Coker, who now hates West Ham.



As for the Ashton incident, I really believe we we'd be in a much better off position now if he was still playing. The guy had so much potential.



Mind you, he could have left to a higher-placed club by now.. but y'never know...West Ham's Gary O'Neil may take legal action following tackle by Aston Villa's Nigel Reo-Coker ?
it's football, you sign a proffesional contract knowing that a mis-timed tackle can end your career,
and the Ashton thing.- There is no reason to take legal action for a tackle, west ham are begging for money here, rather pathetic.West Ham's Gary O'Neil may take legal action following tackle by Aston Villa's Nigel Reo-Coker ?
"it's football, you sign a proffesional [sic] contract knowing that a mis-timed tackle can end your career,

and the Ashton thing.- There is no reason to take legal action for a tackle, west ham are begging for money here, rather pathetic."



Dean Ashton's contract was with West Ham United not England. West Ham United paid his wages.He sustained the injury whilst training with England.



Obviously there are other issues (such as West Ham agreeing a new contract with him), but he sustained the injury that ultimately ended his career whilst he was with England, therefore it should be the FA's insurers (if any) who pay out.



Thoughts are with Gary o Neill. I was right in front of the incident and thought it looked a fair challenge. I don't think suing a fellow pro (unless the action was malicious or deliberate) is the right way to go. Players/clubs are insured to cover this eventuality.