Carlo Cudicini horror smash pictures: Spurs goalkeeper fights to save career after motorbike crash
Scene of carnage: Carlo Cudicini's BMW superbike lies mangled on a London road as police survey the scene and an air ambulance stands by
Serious: The accident forced the closure of Forest Road
Wreckage: Motorcycle of Carlo Cudicini is loaded onto a recovery truck
'Write off': The female driver and a child passenger walked away from the car
Spurs keeper Carlo Cudicini is fighting to save his career after a motorbike smash left him with broken wrists and a damaged pelvis.
Cudicini suffered the injuries, which the London Ambulance Service described as 'possibly life-changing', after crashing his BMW superbike into a Ford Fiesta on Forest Road, Walthamstow, East London at 10.30am yesterday.
By riding a motorbike Cudicini is in breach of his contract, meaning technically Spurs would be within their rights to sack him. Clauses agreed with the Premier League, the Football Association and the Professional Footballers' Association forbid players from engaging in activities which could endanger their careers such as skiing or riding a motorbike.
While Tottenham insist they are only concerned with Cudicini's welfare, there could be problems further down the line regarding the insurance for a player who is understood to earn in the region of £50,000-a-week.
Cudicini was understood to be on his way to Tottenham's training ground near Chigwell, Essex, when the accident occurred, although manager Harry Redknapp was said to be unaware his keeper rode a motorbike.
The fact that he chose to ride a motorbike to training is even more perplexing given he had been undergoing treatment for a back injury and had not even been on Tottenham's bench since the home defeat by Stoke almost three weeks ago.
Redknapp, who is on a break in Dubai, said: 'We are all sorry to hear about what happened to Carlo.
'We are just relieved that the injuries he sustained were not more serious. Everyone at the club sends their best wishes and we hope that he recovers soon.' The female driver of the Fiesta and a child passenger walked away from the car, which was described as a write-off, and did not need hospital treatment.
The Italian was taken to Whipps Cross hospital where he was visited by club medical staff and has since been transferred to a private clinic where his condition was described as 'stable'.
The seriousness of the accident raises questions as to whether the 36-year-old goalkeeper will play again. Even if he can resume his career after months of rehabilitation, it his unlikely he will return to action this season.
Cudicini signed for Tottenham from Chelsea on a free transfer in January, having spent the latter part of his career on the bench at Stamford Bridge. But he has made just 11 league appearances for Spurs after failing to dislodge Heurelho Gomes.
His chances of extending his contract which runs out at the end of the current campaign had already looked slim, Redknapp having attempted a swap deal for Portsmouth's David James in the summer.
Tottenham have not yet considered whether to appeal for special dispensation to sign a keeper outside the transfer window.
But given that as well as Cudicini and Gomes, they have Jimmy Walker, Ben Alnwick, David Button and Oscar Jansson on their books, it is debatable whether a request would be granted.
Spurs goalkeeping coach Tony Parks has backed Cudicini to battle his way back to fitness. He said: 'Your first thought is, "Thank Christ he is still alive".
'I'm not a medical person, so I'm not qualified to speak about the injuries Carlo has suffered but I'm thankful it is not as serious as it could have been. Hopefully he can get through this and make a comeback. There's no doubt he will be up for the fight.'
What next for Spurs?
The injury to Cudicini means boss Harry Redknapp is certain to enter the transfer market for a new goalkeeper in January as back up to No 1 Heurelho Gomes. Redknapp will try to tempt David James away from Portsmouth after third-choice stopper Ben Alnwick disappointed in the Carling Cup last season.
