Still in a (sub)coma, Ajax-player Abdelhak Nouri has been staying in a care institution since his cardiac arrest during a training match in Austria on 8 July 2017.
His family questioned the response of Ajax' medical staff right after the incident. It has meanwhile become apparent to them that the staff did not follow the guidelines for treatment.
As an employer (and professional football organisation at the highest level) Ajax has a very large responsibility in providing the best medical care and treatment for its players.
In January 2018 Ajax was held liable on behalf of Abdelhak Nouri for the permanent neurological damage caused by his incorrect medical treatment.
Arguing that the treatment on the field was correct, Ajax dismissed liability until recently.
On 4 June 2018 the case was submitted to the KNVB's arbitration committee, which under the employment contract between Nouri and Ajax is competent to decide on the dispute. In the arbitration proceedings, the committee was asked to appraise Ajax' liability. Any damages will be discussed later.
By filing these proceedings the Nouri family was acting in Nouri's interest. The young player will have to rely on intensive care and adapted accommodation for the rest of his life. He will never be able to support himself. Another issue of importance to the family is to establish whether Ajax is capable of providing adequate medical care in similar events as other players, too, could be affected by emergency incidents.
On 25 June 2018, the day when Ajax would have had to file its defence in the arbitration proceedings, Ajax admitted full liability. The parties should now get together to discuss the amount of damages. Watch Nieuwsuur's broadcast of 25 June 2018 (in Dutch).
If you have any questions about this statement, please contact John Beer and/or Lucas Hogeling at +31206732199 or beer@beeradvocaten.nl and hogeling@beeradvocaten.nl.