Ajax player Abdelhak Nouri is in 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 Nouri, Ajax was held liable in January 2018 for the permanent neurological damage resulting from the young footballer's improper medical treatment.
Ajax takes the position that the on-field treatment was handled correctly and has disclaimed liability.
Today the case on behalf of Abdelhak Nouri will be submitted to the arbitration committee of the KNVB. This committee is authorized to rule on the dispute by virtue of the employment contract between Nouri and Ajax. In these proceedings, the committee is asked to rule on Ajax's liability. The amount of any compensation will be discussed later.
With these proceedings, the Nouri family is serving the interests of Abdelhak, who will be dependent for life on adapted housing and intensive care and will never again be able to provide for his own living expenses. The family also considers it of 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.
About this press release, 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.