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Supreme Court Upholds Six-Year Sentence for Footballer in Violent Assault Case

The ruling reaffirms aggravated criminal liability, increases victim compensation, and holds event organizers accountable for safety failures.

Una persona en silla de ruedas
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El Supremo niega que un jugador deba asumir el riesgo de una agresión dolosa

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.