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Tweets trip up bragging footballer's injury claim

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A semi-pro soccer player in Northwest England is ordered to pay back more than £11,000 ($17,069) after his tweets proved he made a dishonest personal injury claim, according to media reports.

Gary Burnett, who played for Northwich Victoria Football Club, said he sustained injuries to his neck and back in car accident at a fast food restaurant, reports state.

Claiming he was unable to play football for four weeks as a result of the accident, he filed a claim for £2,000 ($3,103), according to reports.

When London-based insurer Aviva P.L.C. investigated, it found that Mr. Burnett had tweeted about playing shortly after the accident.

“Nice little trek to Kendal later for footy #mission #goals #vics,” he posted on Oct. 29, 2013.

He bragged about winning a match in another post from Nov. 16, 2013.

Earlier this month, a Wigan County Court judge concluded that Mr. Burnett had made a dishonest personal injury claim and ordered him to pay Aviva’s costs of more than £11,000.

“This case highlights how a minor claim can be seen as an open-goal for fraudsters,” Dave Lovely, Aviva Global’s claims director told reporters. “However, we are determined to tackle these fraudulent claimants and stop them scoring against us and our customers. It shows that we will pursue and prosecute those who commit fraud, while taking care of genuine claimants.”

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