Czernuszka, paralyzed rugby player compensated with 10 million for a tackle “performed for revenge” – Corriere.it

Dani Czernuszkaformer amateur women’s rugby player, obtained compensation of over 10 million pounds (over 11 million euros) for a tackle that left her paralyzed. 34-year-old British Reading Sirens player Dani’s life changed in October 2017, after a match against Bracknell Ladies. On that occasion the opponent Natasha King put her full body weight on her head and back by Czernuszka, while bent over waiting to receive the ball.

On Thursday, February 23, Judge Martin Spencer ruled that King responsible for the serious spinal injuries suffered by Czernuszka due to a tackle deemed dangerous and illegal. An unprecedented sentence. A deliberate act of retaliation, designed to crush my client even though she had no intention of hurting her, the position of Czernuszka’s attorney, Robert Weir KC. The hypothesis of gambling revenge was deemed credible by the court because in an action prior to the tackle King had failed to grab the opponent, and in anger had said: That f … or number seven, I will break it, one phrase contained in Czernuszka’s deposition. For the defense, however, the tackle was just a game clash with unexpected consequences.

For the judge it was an act performed with reckless contempt. He was looking for an opportunity to take revenge, the red mist had metaphorically descended on the defendant’s eyes. He acted with no regard for her opponent’s safety. I am grateful for today’s ruling and for finally putting to rest all the lies and falsifications about what happened during that day’s match, Czernuszka said in a statement released by his lawyers. What happened is certainly not the fault of rugby but I am disappointed with the attitude of the opponent, her technicians and the referee.

I hope I can use my injury and the outcome of today’s trial to raise awareness of the dangerous limits that should not be crossed when playing sport, regardless of level, added Czernuszka, who now she is involved in fundraising for disabled people and plays ice hockey for the Great Britain Paralympic team.