Fulham sue for £3m over Coleman crash

Fulham are suing a Lloyds insurance syndicate for £3million after claims relating to Chris Coleman's car crash were not settled.

The club and manager have launched a joint legal action at the High Court more than three years after the former central defender's accident.

Coleman broke his leg in several places in the crash which ended his playing career despite a brave fightback 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.

Nobody from the insurers, identified on the writ issued by Fulham as Syndicate 597 and Blunt P.A. Consortium 9027, or solicitors representing the business was available for 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.

However, Coleman says he will not put pen to paper on a new three-year contract unless his assistant Steve Kean is also given a new deal.

"I made it plain that we are very much a partnership - we both come, or neither of us comes," said the Fulham manager. "I wouldn't sign a new contract as manager and say I'll have a new No2.

"Keano is an outstanding coach, excellent tactically, and results show that. He took the step up to the first team like a duck to water."