Dry Pitch Injuries May Lead to Legal Claims Against Grass-Roots Clubs

Grass-roots sports clubs are grappling with the issue of heatwave season delays, as they face resistance in moving games despite the potential legal liability for injuries. Both rugby and football governing bodies have privately expressed their reluctance to be perceived as being overly cautious, especially after the widespread halt in sports activities during the Covid pandemic. However, Kevin Lawson, a partner at Browne Jacobson LLP specializing in commercial insurance, has cautioned against the risk of lawsuits if fixtures are held during the drought. He emphasized that all parties involved, including teams, leagues, referees, and landowners, must take this issue seriously to avoid potential injury claims.

The amateur rugby season is particularly under threat due to the ongoing high temperatures, leading the Rugby Football Union to consider emergency measures such as increased non-contact training and the greater utilization of artificial pitches. Nevertheless, sporting officials are faced with a complex situation following the warnings from legal professionals. “We understand from our conversations with clubs that publicly announcing blanket postponements will cause a significant uproar. Therefore, decisions have to be made on a case-by-case basis; we cannot adopt an overly cautious approach,” commented an unnamed senior insider.

Alternative Solutions for Delayed Leagues

In light of concerns that leagues, particularly in the south-east region heavily affected by the heatwave, may experience significant delays, club officials are advocating for a flexible approach to postponements as a last resort. London Welsh, a phoenix club competing in Regional 1 South Central following their liquidation in 2016, is among the teams proposing a temporary rearrangement of fixtures, with priority given to clubs with 4G pitches playing their home games first. Cai Griffiths, the club’s director of rugby, expressed his hope for a reasonable period of time to work out these logistical challenges. “The players are eager to play, and there are plenty of 4G pitches available. It’s just a matter of coordinating who plays at home and away,” Griffiths stated.

Drought-stricken playing surfaces are also becoming a growing concern in other sports, such as football and cricket, as health experts warn of the increased risk of player injuries. To mitigate the effects of heat exhaustion, the Premier League and English Football League have advised clubs to implement “cooling breaks” during matches taking place in temperatures exceeding 30C. The email sent by the EFL to clubs also emphasized the need to provide sufficient water and other beverages to all players and match officials. Furthermore, the EFL has shared the government’s guidance for spectators, which includes advice to stay hydrated, seek shade, and look out for others during the heatwave.