£250,000 for tackle that shattered footballer's leg

Former Charlton midfielder Matt Holmes was today awarded agreed damages of £250,000 (€371,779) over what a court heard would go down as the “second most expensive tackle in history”.

Holmes, now 34, was playing for Charlton in February 1998 when his left leg was “shattered” during a tackle by Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Kevin Muscat.

His damages claim against Wolves and Muscat was settled at the High Court in London today, without any admission of liability by the defendants.

Michael McParland, counsel for Holmes, told Mr Justice Royce that with the addition of costs the overall sum to be paid by the defendants would be in the region of £750,000 (€1.1n).

“This will go down at the end of the day as the second most expensive tackle in British football and legal history.”

Holmes, who had claimed more than £2million, was injured during a fourth round FA Cup replay at Wolves.

His barrister told the court that his injury was so severe that at one stage there was a fear his leg might have to be amputated.

It was Holmes’ case, the court heard, that the tackle had been deliberate and “over the top” and that it had ended his professional career.

The club and Muscat, who currently plays for Millwall, deny all of those allegations. They say that what happened was simply an unfortunate accident and there was no negligence or recklessness.

Holmes left top-flight professional football in July 2000 and now plays for Dorchester Town.

Richard Davies QC, for the defendants, stressed that the settlement was “without admission of liability” and if the matter had gone to trial it would have been “contested vigorously”.

Muscat, who is also a member of the Australian national team, was present in court to hear the “concluding chapter” of the incident and the litigation, said counsel.

Davies extended the defendants’ “warmest” best wishes to Holmes and his family for the future.

Afterwards Holmes said: “I am delighted by the result of this case.”

He commented: “Charlton are a great club and look after their players both on and off the field.

“They have stood by me throughout this, and without their help and support, we would not have been able to bring my claim to its successful conclusion.”

John Smith, solicitor for the defendants, said they had maintained from the start that there had been no intention to injure on the part of Mr Muscat.