Former footballer Van Iperen awarded over €1m in damages after collision in Moldova

CAS awards Van Iperen €1.06m in damages after career-ending head injury during Zimbru match; club failed to provide contracted insurance.

Donny van Iperen, 31, suffered a severe head injury and fell into a coma during a match for FC Zimbru four years ago, forcing him to retire from professional football. His contract stipulated the club would arrange health insurance, but it never did.

Van Iperen initially claimed €2m in damages. FIFA awarded him only €28,000, but he appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The CAS has now ruled that Zimbru must pay him €1.06m, calculated on lost earnings, medical costs and non-material damages.

The ruling ends years of legal dispute. Zimbru, eight-time Moldovan champions, said the financial impact poses a serious threat to the club's survival.