PRESS RELEASE
Amsterdam, Jan. 21, 2021
As is well known, Abdelhak Nouri has suffered severe brain damage since the events in Austria on July 8, 2017. After the occurrence of the cardiac arrest, Abdelhak was medically improperly treated on the field. No resuscitation took place for a long time where it should have been done immediately. His chances of a good recovery were thus completely taken away from him.
An employer has a duty of care to its employees. In professional soccer, this duty of care includes quality medical supervision. This was lacking here. Ajax is liable for the damage resulting from the mistakes made during treatment on the field. The shortcomings resulted in Abdelhak being permanently dependent on the care of others and that he was not able to show how his promising career as a soccer player would have developed.
In recent times, Abdelhak's damages have been mapped out and parties have discussed a possible compensation arrangement. Recently it has already been revealed that on behalf of Abdelhak no agreement has been reached with Ajax on a settlement of this case. For that reason, the arbitration committee of the KNVB is now being asked to issue a decision in this case.
The dispute between the parties concerns the amount of compensation due to Abdelhak Nouri. That compensation relates in particular to the costs of his care, the loss of his earning capacity and compensation for immaterial damages in the form of damages.
The arbitration request was submitted to the KNVB today. A written response from Ajax is expected to follow initially, after which the committee will hear the case at a hearing.
For information about this press release, please contact Bojan Dekker and with John Beer who are handling this case for Abdelhak Nouri and the family.