Premiership players set to buy own injury policies

Top footballers are set to buy personal injury protections next year, after SLE Worldwide pulled cover for the Premiership.

James Wrynne, director with UK & Ireland Insurance Services said: "Premiership clubs are no longer covered in 'player on player' claims under the block employer's liability insurance policy provided via the Premiership. Insurers are excluding these sorts of claims from liability
insurance because the payouts are simply too big."

SLE Worldwide withdrew cover earlier this season because of the risk.

"Clubs are left on their own to meet any settlement in these cases," explains Wrynne.

"Millionaire superstars like Ruud van Nistelrooy or Thierry Henry could claim huge damages if their careers were ended by a bad tackle and this could ruin clubs, particularly smaller ones. Star players often sit out of cup clashes with lower division clubs as the top teams look to preserve
their major assets. I predict more players will seek personal accident protection next season. It will be expensive but will help guarantee a payout in the event of an injury."

Earlier this year, former Charlton Athletic player Matty Holmes accepted £250,000 to settle a £2.5m claim against ex-Wolves star Kevin Muscat for an injury sustained during an FA Cup tie in 1998. Legal costs were estimated at £500,000.