Pro Soccer Player Accused of ‘Vicious Attack’

LOS ANGELES (CN) - The former head trainer for the Chivas USA Major League Soccer team claims an unprovoked "vicious attack" by former Chivas striker Ante Razov broke his nose and eye socket and gave him a concussion, which required surgery to wire his jaw shut and implant metal plates in his face.

Joshua Beaumont sued Razov, Chivas USA Soccer and Major League Soccer, in Superior Court.

Beaumont says Razov attacked him after surgery on the player's ankle was pushed back by two days because of a team golf tournament.

Part of Beaumont's duties as head athletic trainer was to act as a liaison between Chivas physicians and players, his complaint states.

According to the lawsuit: "On Tuesday, September 22, 2009, Mr. Beaumont arrived at work at the Home Depot Center on the Cal State Dominguez Hills Campus at approximately 8:00 a.m. At approximately 9:30 am, while he was working in the gym, Mr. Beaumont saw Razov riding a stationary bike. Mr. Beaumont approached Razov to confirm his ankle surgery scheduled for the next morning. Mr. Beaumont stated, 'We're all set for 7:00 am.' Immediately, Razov became hostile and stated that it was Mr. Beaumont fault his surgery was delayed until Wednesday. Razov raised his voice and repeatedly cursed at Mr. Beaumont. In an effort to diffuse the situation, Mr. Beaumont walked away from Razov. Mr. Beaumont did not initiate any physical contact with Razov."

Beaumont says that when he returned to the gym 5 minutes later to discuss the matter further, Razov "responded with extreme hostility."

"Razov again raised his voice and cursed at Mr. Beaumont, telling Mr. Beaumont that Mr. Beaumont was responsible for rescheduling the surgery. Mr. Beaumont turned around to walk away," the complaint states.

"As soon as Mr. Beaumont turned around, Razov got off the stationary bike he was riding and grabbed Mr. Beaumont from behind by his shirt collar. Mr. Beaumont struggled to pull away from Razov's grasp. Razov would not release his grip, and pulled Mr. Beaumont's T-shirt partially over his head. Mr. Beaumont then felt a strong blow to the back of his head. As Mr. Beaumont hunched over in an attempt to get away, Razov inflicted a second strong blow to Mr. Beaumont's face. This second strike caused significant pain to Mr. Beaumont. Dizzy and disoriented, Mr. Beaumont dropped to the ground on his hands and knees. As Mr. Beaumont was either bent over at the waist or on his hands and knees on the floor, Razov inflicted one final blow to Mr. Beaumont's face. This final blow was significantly more powerful than the previous strikes and covered a much larger surface area than the two preceding blows. After the blow, Mr. Beaumont felt as if his entire face had collapsed," the complaint states.

Beaumont says that Razov was restrained while the trainer "bled profusely" from the nose and mouth.

"Mr. Beaumont's teeth had shifted as a result of the final blow and he was experiencing tremendous pain. Thereafter, the paramedics were called and Mr. Beaumont was taken to the emergency room at Harbor UCLA Hospital," the complaint states.

The trainer says the "vicious attack" left him with a concussion, a broken nose, "displaced teeth" and broken orbital bones.

"Two permanent metal plates were inserted on each side of Mr. Beaumont face to stabilize the broken bones and his jaw was wired shut for numerous weeks. Mr. Beaumont also required four root canals. Mr. Beaumont has also suffered from post traumatic stress disorder, depression, and fear that he will be attacked again. Mr. Beaumont has also experienced monthly breakdowns and nightmares a few times per week," the complaint says.

The former trainer says the attack left him with numbness and pain in his face and that he's been advised that he may suffer brain damage or brain degeneration.

"He feels a consistent grinding in his temporomandibular joint and his jaw does not line up correctly. However, Mr. Beaumont's doctors have informed him that he will likely require extensive dental work, corrective braces or surgery for his temporomandibular joint, and surgery for a deviated septum. Additionally, these injuries have permanently impacted Mr. Beaumont's ability to participate in certain physical activities. Mr. Beaumont has not played soccer or any other team sport since Razov's attack. Mr. Beaumont can only run for about twenty minutes before feeling pain, which lasts for a couple of days," according to the complaint.

Beaumont claims he lost his job at Chivas USA "as a direct result" of Razov's attack. He claims that Razov "has a history of seemingly unprovoked physically violent outburst[s]," including an incident in which he shoved the former coach of the U.S. National team, Bob Bradley, while both player and coach were at the Chicago Fire.

Razov, a California native of Croatian descent, last played for Chivas USA in 2009. He played for the U.S. National team on 26 occasions.

Beaumont's attorney Kenneth White told Courthouse News: "We stand by the allegations in the complaint and look forward to proving them in court after some vigorous discovery."

Beaumont seeks damages for battery, negligent hiring, supervision and retention, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent inflection of emotional distress.

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