Ajax player Abdelhak Nouri is in (sub)comatose condition and has been in a care facility since he suffered a cardiac arrest during a practice match in Austria on July 8, 2017.
After the event, questions arose among his family about the way Abdelhak was treated by Ajax's medical staff immediately after the cardiac arrest on the field in Austria. It has since become clear to them that the treatment did not take place according to the applicable guidelines.
As an employer (and professional soccer organization at the highest level), Ajax has a great responsibility for optimal medical supervision and treatment of its players.
On behalf of Abdelhak Nouri, Ajax was held liable in January 2018 for permanent neurological damage resulting from the young footballer's improper medical treatment.
Until recently, Ajax took the position that the treatment on the field was done correctly and disclaimed liability.
On June 4, the case was submitted to the arbitration committee of the KNVB on behalf of Abdelhak Nouri. This committee is authorized to rule on the dispute by virtue of the employment contract between Nouri and Ajax. In these proceedings, the committee was asked to rule on Ajax's liability. The amount of any compensation will be discussed later.
By initiating these proceedings, the Nouri family served the interests of Abdelhak, who will be dependent for life on adapted housing and intensive care and will never again be able to support himself. The family also considers wider significance that clarity is provided as to whether Ajax is able to provide adequate medical care in such acute situations. After all, other players may also find themselves in an acute emergency situation.
On June 25, the day Ajax was supposed to file the defense in the arbitration case, Ajax still acknowledged full liability in the case. The parties will now have to sit down to discuss the amount of damages. See also the broadcast of News Hour last June 25.
About this notice, please contact the lawyers John Beer and/or Bojan Dekker. They can be reached by phone at 020-6732199 or by e-mail beer@beeradvocaten.nl and dekker@beeradvocaten.nl.