Footballer Jailed for Violent Tackle: Should Shawcross Be Tried For GBH?
Mark Chapman, a Sunday League footballer from Warwickshire, has become the first football player to be imprisoned for a bad tackle. Chapman was sentenced to six months in prison for breaking the leg of Terry Johnson in two places during the dying seconds of the match between Wheeltappers and Long Lawford. The challenge came in as Johnson was shepherding the ball into the corner to protect a 3-1 lead. Chapman then proceeded to commit a two-footed challenge from behind with his studs showing, breaking Johnson’s leg twice. The injury has ended any chances of Terry Johnson playing football again, with full recovery estimated at 18 months. He has also not been able to work since the injury, which has left a scar the length of his shin. Whilst there are two instances of footballers being sent to prison for on-pitch violence, this has been through violent acts far beyond what would be expected during the course of play (one was for manslaughter through a punch, one was for a leg-breaking tack
