As the fallout continues from wrongful dismissal case successfully brought by Lucy Ward, her solicitor is now asking The Football Association to investigate Massimo Cellino for sexual discrimination.

The FA’s equality policy states “The FA’s commitment is to confront and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of gender … and to encourage equal opportunities. This policy is fully supported by the Board of The FA and the Director of Football Governance and
Regulation is responsible for the implementation of this policy.”

The FA is committed to a policy of equal treatment of all members and requires all members to abide and adhere to this policy. The FA commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims, when it is brought to their attention, of discrimination on the above grounds and where such is found to be the case, a requirement that the practice stop and sanctions imposed as appropriate.”

So it would seem that Cellino has a case to answer after his comments to Ladies’ team manager Gary Cooper that women have “no place in football” and “should be in the bedroom or beautician’s.” Ward also complained that Cellino regarded as her as a ‘piece of meat’, and that she was sacked as the club's education and welfare officer because she was Neil Redfearn’s partner.

During the hearing her solicitor Nick Randall asked the panel to consider why Cellino had not attended the tribunal to give evidence. “Mr Cellino is not here even though we know the principle allegation relates to him. It is quite clear that Lucy Ward was making other comments about his sexist attitude. You must presume that Mr Cellino would give damning evidence about his own attitudes. This has been an utter, total shambles.”

The club claimed she was dismissed for exceeding annual leave entitlement after commentating for the BBC at the 2015 Women's World Cup, but the three-person panel rejected this explanation, and also the allegations that she was aggressive, controlling, manipulative. They found that she was none of those things, but was a “credible and truthful witness.”

Judge Stephen Keevash said that the reasons for the dismissal had been “a sham” and “We conclude that this dismissal was unfair and that there was a gross unreasonable breach of the ACAS code of conduct. We find it extraordinary that this respondent (Leeds United) had no awareness of the ACAS code or what it contained and that it failed to comply with what are regarded as basic principles.”

After the case, the protest group ‘Time To Go Massimo’ said “Today is yet another in a long line of events that drags the great name of Leeds United through the gutter. We are disappointed that because the club failed to follow a correct and fair procedure in dismissing Lucy Ward, a substantial amount of the club’s money will be essentially wasted on paying further legal fees [as well as at least some of Ms Ward’s legal fees] and giving her the compensation she is entitled to."

“We consider Lucy to be ‘one of our own’ and wish to thank her for what we understand to be a wonderful 17 years of service at Leeds United [including her playing career], raising amazing talent like Fabian Delph, James Milner, Sam Byram and Lewis Cook to name but a few. We hope she would consider returning to Leeds United at a later date under different ownership and much improved practices.”

"We implore Massimo Cellino to end this farce and sell the club to one of the more credible groups interested in purchasing Leeds United, and to sell it to them at market value.”

And if you agree that it’s time to Cellino to move on and save the club from further embarrassment, don’t forget that the protest march is on Saturday. Meet at 1.15pm in City Square.

Photo: Action Images

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