Clubs Warned Over Concussion Legal Threat After Rugby Player's Court Case

Premier League Doctors' Group Chair Mark Gillett said that clubs "could be sued by players if they fail to stick more closely to guidelines on concussion," according to ESPN.com. He said that the PLDG "called for sanctions against managers who made players go back onto the pitch after a head injury and that clubs should be fined for failure to follow procedures." The warning of legal action "comes after former rugby player Cillian Willis sued for clinical negligence against Sale Sharks." The club "allowed Willis, who has now retired, to play on after he suffered a head injury in a game three years ago." Gillett warned such a legal action "could come" in football. He said that managers under pressure to win games "do need to be responsible to their players -- but it's asking a lot in our 'must win, must perform' situation to almost think logically about that." He added, "We need to find a way where it's taken out of their hands" (ESPN.com, 9/7).