Friday, November 21, 2008
Walcott injury could cost English FA £1.5m
Arsenal could receive up to £1.5million in compensation for Theo Walcott's injury while on England duty.
Walcott, who dislocated his shoulder in training on Tuesday, is unlikely to play for Arsenal for the next four months, according to Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, who confirmed that surgery had been carried out on the injury.
Wenger said the club have yet to decide whether to pursue compensation when under the FA's insurance deal, Arsenal could claim £50,000 for the first two weeks Walcott is absent, and £100,000 per week thereafter up to a maximum period of almost two years.
If he is out for the predicted 16 weeks, that could mean £1.5million in compensation.
Wenger bemoaned the injury to one of his brightest stars but said he accepted its accidental nature. "I'm disappointed because he is an important part of the squad, but that could have happened in training here," he said
"It was an accident that could have happened anywhere. I do not blame the FA for that. It was accidental in training and I accept that. In a moment like that you do not think about compensation you think about how you can replace the player."
An FA spokesman said: "The FA is one of only a handful of national associations who voluntarily insure our players against injury while on international duty. Almost all foreign international players who play for English clubs will not have been insured in this way.
Walcott, who dislocated his shoulder in training on Tuesday, is unlikely to play for Arsenal for the next four months, according to Gunners manager Arsene Wenger, who confirmed that surgery had been carried out on the injury.
Wenger said the club have yet to decide whether to pursue compensation when under the FA's insurance deal, Arsenal could claim £50,000 for the first two weeks Walcott is absent, and £100,000 per week thereafter up to a maximum period of almost two years.
If he is out for the predicted 16 weeks, that could mean £1.5million in compensation.
Wenger bemoaned the injury to one of his brightest stars but said he accepted its accidental nature. "I'm disappointed because he is an important part of the squad, but that could have happened in training here," he said
"It was an accident that could have happened anywhere. I do not blame the FA for that. It was accidental in training and I accept that. In a moment like that you do not think about compensation you think about how you can replace the player."
An FA spokesman said: "The FA is one of only a handful of national associations who voluntarily insure our players against injury while on international duty. Almost all foreign international players who play for English clubs will not have been insured in this way.
