James Allport, 27, from Old Swinford, sued the match referee, Timothy Wilbraham, over the spinal injuries he sustained in the 1998 accident.

Last year, his claim was rejected on the grounds that Mr Wilbraham had made sure the scrum was properly engaged.

The decision was upheld by the Appeal Court on Wednesday.

'Circumstances unclear'

The judges said they could find no flaw in the original ruling despite the injuries Mr Allport sustained.

Mr Allport was not present to hear the judges dismiss his appeal.

He was paralysed from the neck down during the match between his club, Stourbridge, and Cheltenham Nomads in October 1998.

At Wednesday's hearing the judge said the exact circumstances surrounding the accident were not clear.