A number of amateur rugby union players have filed a lawsuit in London, saying that the sport’s regulatory organisations did not do enough to safeguard them against brain damage.
The 55 athletes, who are all dealing with neurological conditions, claim that World Rugby, the Rugby Football Union, and the Welsh Rugby Union were negligent in failing to safeguard them against concussive and sub-concussive impacts during their careers. This was stated on Monday by law firm Rylands.
World Rugby last week suggested that national unions talk with local communities to begin trials decreasing the tackle height in an effort to decrease head injuries. The action, according to Rylands, is “too little, too late” to help its clients or the thousands of other people who have participated in the sport.
In an effort to lessen concussions brought on by head-on contact, World Rugby has advised its unions to test “belly tackles” at the non-elite level. In these tackles, the tackler makes contact with the ball carrier below the sternum.
In actions involving rugby union and rugby league, more than 350 players, ranging in age from 20 to 70, are being represented, according to Rylands.
“We aim to challenge the current perceptions of the governing bodies, to reach a point where they accept the connection between repetitive blows to the head and permanent neurological injury and to take steps to protect players and support those who are injured,” a Rylands statement said. indiatimes.com