Axel Tuanzebe, a defender for Burnley, has sued his former club Manchester United for negligence after being subjected to racial abuse. He is personally suing for £1 million in damages. He claims that the club’s failure to recognize and treat his injury has greatly affected his career and earning power. The complaint paints a harrowing picture that started in June 2022. It was during that period that Tuanzebe’s pain had begun to manifest, ultimately creating chronic injuries that sidelined him from nurturing his professional football aspirations.
At the core of Tuanzebe’s complaint are his allegations that Manchester United provided delayed and inadequate medical treatment for his injuries. It was only when he complained of pain before the club’s pre-season tour to Thailand in July 2022 that things took a turn for the worse. Though he aired his grievances, as punishment, he was nevertheless invited to stay with the tour. Tuanzebe contends that this decision exacerbated his injury further.
Medical Oversight and Injury Progression
By June 2022 he was in so much pain that he had to communicate his injury to Manchester United. He pleaded to be repatriated to England to receive treatment. Dr. Steve McNally, the club’s senior doctor, promised him that all would be well.
“Most likely he had disc irritation or change in posture mechanics rather than a stress problem,” – Dr. Steve McNally
Despite these reassurances, Tuanzebe’s condition worsened. The lawsuit alleges that the medical personnel informed him there was an “absence of urgency” regarding his condition. That left him with no choice but to continue training and playing. Complications From Delayed Diagnosis and Treatment As a result, Tuanzebe’s symptomatology advanced to bilateral grade 4 fractures and a left sided chronic spinal fracture.
The complaint alleges that Tuanzebe would have been able to prevent his chronic health issues. This could’ve been avoided if he was allowed the adequate rest and treatment he needed. The lawsuit claims, “Had the claimant been appropriately rested, his left-sided pars fracture would not have developed into a chronic condition and the right-sided fracture would have been avoided altogether.”
Impact on Career and Earnings
Tuanzebe isn’t the first player to bring a lawsuit as he attempts to reclaim his professional football career. He was let go by Manchester United rather than triggering a one-year option on his deal. On 31 January 2023, he moved to Stoke City on loan for the remainder of the season. Sadly, recurring pain kept him ineffective, and he managed just five appearances.
The ongoing nature of his injuries led many to wonder if he could still compete at the elite level at which he had previously performed. The lawsuit emphasizes that “appropriate treatment plans would have resulted in the claimant avoiding the pain and discomfort,” thereby allowing him to play without restrictions.
Tuanzebe’s case serves as an unfortunate example of what can happen to athletes when injuries are disregarded or mishandled. His untreated injuries take a toll beyond physical pain. These advances are accompanied by significant financial repercussions, as he continues to seek compensation for lost wages while continuing his career potential.
Legal Proceedings and Allegations
The full class-action complaint makes a number of serious allegations against Manchester United. The primary claim alleged their failure to adequately investigate Tuanzebe’s pars fractures. Their argument is that the club didn’t provide him with sufficient time off. They also failed to even refer him to a specialist sports spinal surgeon, despite clear indications of a red flag.
“It is the claimant’s case that the defendant [United] negligently failed to properly investigate the claimant’s pars fractures, failed to rest the claimant and failed to refer him to a specialist sports spinal surgeon.” – Lawsuit
The legal documents assert that had Tuanzebe been advised correctly, specifically, to rest for 12 weeks, his injuries might have been mitigated significantly. The lawsuit alleges that the club contributed to the claimant’s injury becoming life-altering. It contends that by allowing him to train and play like usual from February 2020 to March 2020, they played a role in the issue.
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