Worst Ever Injuries in Football
When Football Becomes More Than a Game
In the good old days of the sixties, seventies and early eighties football was seen as a tough man's game, a place not for the fain hearted, but over the past two decades the game has gone a bit soft - too many theatrical movements and hair bands for some people.
Serious Injuries in Football
Fans have seen the likes of Didier Drogba, Cristiano Ronaldo and more recently David Ngog go down too easily feigning injury in an attempt to win a penalty or free-kick. These more frequently happening incidents make the supporters less believing when a real injury occurs.
Here is a list of incidents which saw players go down with serious consequences.
David Buust Gruesome Injury
David Buust was a defender for Coventry City and during a match with Manchester United at Old Trafford, Buust did as he always did and went to attack a corner. But this time the outcome was serious.
Buust attempted to go for the ball with United players Denis Irwin and Brian McClair, but unfortunately his leg got caught between Irwin and McClair's snapping it straight away. If the injury itself was not bad enough the footage that followed certainly was.
The injury he sustained was a broken tibia and fibula of his right leg, but the bone had broken so severely that it was poking through his sock as he lay on the Old Trafford, even hard man goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel had to shield his eyes from the sight of blood that appeared before him.
The injury itself was not the reason Buust was forced to retire. After undergoing over 20 operations Buust's leg became infected which caused further problems to the muscle and tissue in his injured leg. He never played professional football again and retired at the age of 29.
Eduardo Breaks His Leg
In February 2008 Arsenal and Croatia striker Eduardo was stretchered from the field following a brutal challenge from Birmingham City defender Martin Taylor.
Taylor lunged at the striker catching him on the bottom part of his left leg, breaking his fibula and an open dislocation of his ankle. The severity of the challenge was so bad that after SKY TV cameras realised how bad the incident was they decided not to show any more footage.
Taylor was sent off for the challenge, with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger stating the player should never play again, a statement he later retracted. Eduardo was on the sidelines for 12 months and made his comeback in the FA Cup against Cardiff, in which he score. Taylor did reveal he did visit the striker in hospital to apologise although Eduardo admits he does not remember the visit or even the challenge itself.
Iain Hume Fractured Skull
Barnsley and Canada striker Iain Hume had to be led from the field during a fierce South Yorkshire derby against Sheffield United at Oakwell in November 2008 following a challenge with defender Chris Morgan.
Hume had attempted to head the ball in a challenge with Morgan, but the Sheffield United captains elbow crashed into the skull of the Barnsley striker. Morgan was booked for the incident as Hume was led from the field.
Hume sat on the bench for the remainder of the game until he felt dizzy and sick following a late Kayode Odejayi goal. After still feeling unwell while at home Hume was then sent to a Manchester hospital where it was discovered he had a fractured skull and internal bleeding and had to undergo life-threatening surgery. He was then kept in a high dependency unit before being released. He was later rushed back into hospital after the injury became infected.
Hume returned to action in July 2009 in a pre-season friendly and is currently enjoying a run in the team during their Championship campaign.
Gary Mabbutt Fractured Cheekbone
Former England and Tottenham skipper Gary Mabbutt was left with serious facial injuries following a game with Wimbledon at White Hart Lane back in 1993.
Giant Wimbledon striker John Fashanu's elbow collided with Mabbutt's face leaving him sprawled on the turf. Mabbutt suffered a fractured cheekbone in the incident, with the images of the injury broadcast for all the world to see.
Petr Cech Serious Head Injury
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech thought he had only suffered concussion in an incident against Reading in October 2006, but further tests proved otherwise.
Cech and Reading's Stephen Hunt both challenged for the ball inside the penalty area, but Hunt's leg connected with the side of Cech's head, at first the keeper was dazed but tests then showed he had suffered a depressed skull fracture, keeping him out of action for three months.
Doctors revealed the injury was so severe that it almost cost him his life and if he returned to action too soon that could also kill him.
Cech made his comeback in January 2007 against Liverpool, in that game he wore a protective rugby-style headguard, which he still wears, in an attempt to protect his skull.
Arsenal striker Eduardo
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Chelsea keeper Petr Cech with headguard on
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