Overview
- The Supreme Court confirmed a six-year prison sentence for a veteran league footballer under Article 149 of the Spanish Penal Code for causing severe spinal injuries to another player in a deliberate assault.
- The assault occurred in April 2014 when the aggressor, already expelled from the match, re-entered the field and delivered a surprise kick to the victim's neck, leaving him tetraparetic and wheelchair-bound.
- The victim’s compensation was increased by €54,777, bringing the total to over €768,777, to account for the lifelong impact of his injuries and dependency.
- The ruling clarified that intentional violence outside the normal course of play constitutes a criminal act, distinct from permissible risks inherent in sports.
- The Asociación Fútbol Veteranos Maresme, the event organizer, was held civilly liable for failing to implement adequate safety measures to prevent the incident.