Fulham FC sues Lloyd's for £3m

FULHAM Football Club is suing a Lloyd's insurance syndicate for £3m after claims relating to a car crash that ended Chris Coleman's playing career were not settled.

Coleman is now Fulham manager. He and the club have launched a joint legal action at the High Court more than three years after the accident.

Coleman, who was a central defender at the time, broke his leg in several places in the crash which ended his playing career despite a fight-back to fitness.

The club claimed against their insurance policy for the treatment he received and the costs of losing a player, which makes up two-thirds of the claim. The other £1m they claim is due to Coleman for loss of earnings, but insurers have not paid out.

Both the insurers, identified on the writ issued by Fulham as Syndicate 597 and Blunt PA Consortium 9027, and their solicitors refused comment today. The club also refused to comment.

Coleman's first full season as manager has been a huge success. The club were tipped by many pundits to be relegated following last season's struggle under Jean Tigana when they were only saved after Coleman took over following the Frenchman's sacking.

The Welshman was also one of the bookmaker's favourites to be the first manager dismissed this season, but Fulham had until recently been challenging for a place in Europe and their Premiership future is secure.