http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,8782979%5E11088,00.html
Muscat foul costs $1.7m
By David Lewis
25feb04
THE "second most expensive" tackle in British soccer history cost controversial Socceroo Kevin Muscat and his former club Wolverhampton Wanderers $1.7 million yesterday.
Muscat agreed to a $650,000 settlement with former Charlton Athletic midfielder Matt Holmes for the challenge that cut short Holmes' professional career.
Neither Muscat nor Wolves accepted any liability in the High Court in London in a case that will cost their insurer a further $1.05 million in legal bills.
Holmes sued Muscat, now captain of first division Millwall, for the tackle that shattered his left leg in an FA Cup tie between Wolves and Charlton in 1998.
In the remaining two years of his contract, Holmes, now 34, played just 20 minutes as a substitute.
Michael McParland, counsel for Holmes, said: "This will go down as the second most expensive tackle in British football and legal history."
Holmes sought $2.3 million, claiming the tackle was "deliberate and over the top".
The injury was so severe it was feared at one stage that Holmes might lose his leg.
Muscat insisted it was an unfortunate accident with no "negligence or recklessness".
Holmes, now playing for non-league Dorchester Town, said: "I'm delighted by the result of this case.
"My goal was always to prove it was a bad challenge that ruined my career."
Muscat has always been a controversial figure in England because of the ferocity of his tackling.
The defender has been dubbed the "Wicked of Oz" by the English press.
But Socceroos coach Frank Farina said yesterday that Muscat was not a dirty player.
"If he was, I wouldn't pick him," he said yesterday. "I feel a lot of the criticism 'Muscy' has had down the years is unfair.
"Being tough comes with the territory when you're a defender and, yes, it is certainly a part of his game.
"The only problem I can recall with him was a tackle on Christophe Dugarry."
The French described Muscat as a "brute" for felling Dugarry in a friendly at the MCG in 2001 and putting him out of action for four months.
An unrepentant Muscat accused Dugarry of spitting at him.
Muscat has played 44 times for Australia, including the past two matches against Jamaica and Venezuela, and has never been sent off for his country.
"He's always done well for me and his country and I have no reason to feel that won't continue," Farina said.
"He remains very much a part of my plans."
The highest English payout remains the $2.2 million awarded to Bradford City striker Gordon Watson for a leg-breaking tackle on him by Huddersfield Town defender Kevin Gray in 1997.
