“You are deluded” – Derek Beaumont responds to Nick Fozzard’s justification for legal action

The legal action being taken by former Rugby League and Rugby Union players has now reached a total of 378 players.

The RFL, along with other organisations, are set to have to deal with a court case where players will claim they suffered brain injuries due to playing the sport.

Covering bodies in football and rugby union will also have to deal with the case which is due to be filed at High Court recently according to BBC.

BBC have also reported that the new claimants include 100 former rugby league players and that over 200 ex-rugby players are involved.

Of these, the headline addition is that of Nick Fozzard.

Fozzard started his career at Leeds Rhinos in 1993 prior to playing for Huddersfield Giants and Warrington Wolves.

The best spell of his career came at St Helens, in two stints separated by time with Hull KR.

He also played for Castleford Tigers and Dewsbury Rams.

Speaking to BBC of the decision, he said:

“I once broke my cheekbone, tore my eye ligaments, got concussed,” he said. “I only found out I’d done all that damage a few weeks later. I missed one game.

“The issue isn’t getting hurt, you’re going to get hurt playing rugby league but when you get hurt you need to be fixed afterwards as best you can be and the systems need to be put in there.

“I was never told of any risks. No one said ‘listen this is a really rough, tough sport, these are the risks, this is what could happen to you if you play it and then you know what the score is’.

“But I didn’t know the score. I didn’t know I was going to forget everybody’s names of friends and it would change my personality.”

Now speaking on Twitter, he has underlined the more emotional and heartfelt reasons behind his decision.

“I’m involved in this case to provide for my kids & fiancée when I’m no longer here – I hope you can all relate to that,” he said.

“I’m also involved to help bring about better medical procedures and care for players after injury.”

Following these comments outspoken Leigh Leopards owner Derek Beaumont has had his say.

Beaumont claimed Fozzard is “being used” and says the legal action is “killing the game.”

He said on social media:

“Nick this is the second effort I have seen from you and it needs tackling and I’m one to tackle things that are wrong head on! I’ve stopped friends who are ex players doing that to u last night! Most claimants only played 1 pro game! Your being used! It’s killing the game! Behave”

Nick this is the second effort I have seen from you and it needs tackling and I’m one to tackle things that are wrong head on! I’ve stopped friends who are ex players doing that to u last night! Most claimants only played 1 pro game! Your being used! It’s killing the game! Behave https://t.co/Tj3K76AF5z

— Derek John Beaumont (@derek_beaumont) April 14, 2023

He later added:

“Nick you are deluded the game is paying ten fold to be insured because of the claims! Be cheaper give u all the bag of sweets your after! You’re killing the game! If u were claiming for anything be that forearm u were happy wrap around players heads! Your out of order all of you!”