In all types of contact sport, like football, rugby and boxing, in law, there is an implied consent that there will be physical contact, which outside of sport, could give rise to civil or criminal prosecution. However, if a player, for example, makes a reckless challenge without any thought of the consequences of injury to the other player, this may give rise to a claim for compensation. A claim for compensation can also be made against sporting officials if they fail to apply the safety rules of the game.
The rewards which can be earned by players in professional sport means that the number of sport injury cases will inevitably rise.
Indeed fears of litigation have already led to certain schools banning simple activities such as conkers, skipping and running and one public school to decide to give up rugby in favour of hockey, rowing and football.
The recent reported cases on sport injury all indicate that governing bodies of sport, organisers of sporting events, referees, team managers, and those taking part in sport are all in the firing line.