Ex-player sues Hibs over injuries from tackle by manager

Ex-player sues Hibs over injuries from tackle by manager

Jake Doyle-Hayes, a former Hibernian player, has taken legal action against the Scottish Premiership club following injuries sustained during a training game involving an ex-manager. The midfielder, whose career has been significantly impacted by an ankle issue resulting from a tackle with Lee Johnson in 2022, has initiated compensation proceedings against the club at the Court of Session in Edinburgh. Hibs has acknowledged the claim, indicating a potential legal battle on the horizon.

Following his departure, Hibs noted that Doyle-Hayes’ on-field opportunities had been limited due to injuries in recent seasons. The player’s lawyers attribute these setbacks to the “horrific injuries” suffered during the training session incident. Doyle-Hayes underwent surgery as a direct result of the tackle by Johnson, prompting legal representation from Thompsons Solicitors. While the precise amount of compensation sought remains undisclosed, Doyle-Hayes is expected to claim substantial losses in earnings due to the injury.

The impact of the injury on Doyle-Hayes’ career has been described as catastrophic by Joel Shaw, a partner at the law firm representing the player. Shaw emphasized that the midfielder’s potential had been curtailed by avoidable mismanagement decisions made by his former manager. Johnson, who had managerial stints at Bristol City and Sunderland before his departure from Hibs in August 2023, declined to offer a response to BBC Scotland News. The club has refrained from commenting extensively on the matter, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.

It is evident that the aftermath of the training game incident involving Lee Johnson and Jake Doyle-Hayes has sparked a legal dispute with long-standing implications for both parties. Doyle-Hayes’ pursuit of compensation underscores the financial and career-related impact of the injuries sustained, positioning the legal battle as a critical juncture for the former Hibs player and the club. The allegations of mismanagement and incompetence levied against Johnson serve to highlight the challenges faced by athletes in cases of preventable injuries during training sessions, calling for increased accountability within professional sports environments

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