Source: Telegraph
PFA hope Dean Ashton does not sue former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips
As reported by Telegraph Sport — and officially confirmed later in the day Ashton has had to quit the game at the age of just 26 after failing to recover from the broken ankle he suffered during an England training session in August 2006.[LNB]Ashton, who has accepted a £3 million pay-off from his club West Ham United, in lieu of the four years he had left on his contract, is considering suing Wright-Phillips, with whom he collided in the training-ground tackle. In what would appear a ground-breaking move he is also considering suing Chelsea, who were Wright-Phillips' club at the time, for vicarious liability.[LNB] Related ArticlesDean Ashton may sue ChelseaBirmingham City v West Ham United: match previewChelsea v Everton: match previewGold and Sullivan to make West Ham bidGuillermo Franco's form eases Gianfranco Zola's worries over injured Carlton ColePremier League tableHowever Gordon Taylor, the PFA's chief executive, said he hoped Ashton would decide against going to the High Court. 'I hope it doesn't come to that because nobody would think that Shaun Wright-Phillips was a malicious player at all,' Taylor said.[LNB]'At the moment we've been speaking to his representatives and the situation is about looking to get proper compensation without discussing any player v player action.'[LNB]Although Ashton managed to make 31 league appearances, between 2007-08, and even earned a first England cap, he never recovered from the original injury and had to undergo several operations.[LNB]West Ham will now pursue a £7 million claim against the Football Association because the damage was done on international duty. Taylor said: 'When a player plays for England, the club informs the FA the amount of cover that they would require for him, and clearly he was a very valuable player. He was a great talent and it is one of the hazards of the profession.'[LNB]Ashton joined West Ham for a club-record £7.25 million in January 2006 from Crewe Alexandra and was earmarked by Fabio Capello as potentially England's centre-forward.[LNB]West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola, whose team are just one place above the relegation zone and face Birmingham City on Satrurday, said the announcement was a devastating blow to the club. 'I feel for him and I feel for me as well as I wonder what it would have been like to have a player like him in my squad, as he would have made a big difference for us. That is my sorrow,' he said.[LNB]
