March 31 – German Bundesliga leaders, Bayern Munich, are considering legal action against the Canadian Soccer Federation following their star player Alphonso Davies’ serious knee injury sustained versus the United States in last week’s, Concacaf Nations League third-place playoff.
“We’re demanding a full investigation into the events from Canada Soccer and expressly reserve the right to take legal action,” Bayern chief executive Jan-Christian Dreesen told Bild on Friday.
In what seems typical for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, the incidence was non-contact, however, Bayern alleges that Canadian officials did not provide appropriate care for the player.
“Sending a clearly injured player with a damaged knee on a 12-hour intercontinental flight without a thorough medical assessment is, in our view, grossly negligent and a clear breach of medical duty of care,” Dreesen said.
He also added that Davies should not have even stepped on to the pitch.
“The participation of Davies, who already had muscular problems before the game, in a match of no sporting significance is incomprehensible from our point our view,” Dreesen said.
Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund agreed, saying the treatment of Davies after his injury was “incorrect.”
Freund said Davies had complained of fatigue after Canada’s prior game but still played. “He is the captain, a young man who wanted to help his team but it was borderline,” he said.
“The second issue is the injury after 12 minutes. Then Phonzy [Alphonso] flies back on a 12-hour flight and we all assume it is not a serious injury but then we have this,” Freund said of the discovery he had an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear in his right knee.
“That is sloppy. It is not professional and we need to talk and clear it up. We are the employers, we pay the players, so we will be looking into what happened.”
If Bayern does take action, they’ll contact FIFA who implemented the Club Protection Program (CPP). Compensation covers the player’s salary during their recovery period up to a maximum of $8 million for one year.
Contact the writer of this story, Nick Webster, at moc.l1754404061labto1754404061ofdlr1754404061owedi1754404061sni@o1754404061fni1754404061