A young Manchester United player whose career was ended by a leg-breaking tackle was awarded a record $8.6 million in damages by the U.K. High Court Monday.
Ben Collett, now 23, had joined United’s youth academy aged nine, and at 18 was a member of the club’s 2003 FA Youth Cup-winning team. United manager Alex Ferguson believed he had an “outstanding” chance of a stellar career, but just a few weeks later his leg was broken in two places during his reserve team debut by Middlesbrough’s Gary Smith.
The injury was so severe that Collett was forced to quit professional soccer. Both Smith and Middlesbrough FC admitted liability for the “negligent” tackle through their insurers. “The size of the award made by the court reflects his talent and potential as one of the brightest young footballers in the country,” said Collett’s solicitor.