The Premier League have avoided a potentially damaging employment tribunal after reaching an out-of-court settlement with an ex-member of their equalities team who accused the organisation of racism.
Kay Badu, a former diversity consultant for the Premier League, was taking the governing body to court on the grounds of racial discrimination, victimisation and harassment following his departure in December 2022.
The case was listed to be heard on Tuesday, with the case expected to take a number of days to complete.
But the conflict was resolved just hours before proceedings were due to start avoiding the need for the case to commence.
‘The Premier League can confirm that it has resolved an Employment Tribunal claim brought by a former consultant who worked with the League in 2022,’ a spokesman said.
Ex-Premier League employee Kay Badu agreed an out of court settlement amid racism claims
Badu was taking the governing body to an employment tribunal on the grounds of racial discrimination, victimisation and harassment but an agreement was made hours before trial
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‘Allegations raised by the consultant were the subject of an independent investigation by specialist external counsel in 2023, which found that they were not justified.
‘While the League accordingly rejected the claims, it is pleased both parties have been able to resolve the dispute without the need for a Tribunal.
‘The League is committed to a professional, open, fair and inclusive workplace, and to the effectiveness of its wider equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discrimination initiatives.’
The Premier League opened the official investigation into allegations of internal racism made by Badu, but the subsequent probe, carried out by an independent barrister, effectively cleared the organisation and its employees of discrimination.
Badu strenuously disagreed with the findings of the Premier League’s investigation and launched his own legal case.
Chief executive Richard Masters was due to give evidence during the tribunal, as was Catherine Paterson, the Premier League’s director of people.
Earlier this year the Premier League reached another out of court settlement with an employee amid similar allegations.
Chief executive Richard Masters was due to give evidence during the tribunal
Moloud Ghashghee – an IT technician at the Premier League – opened her own legal case on the grounds of race and disability discrimination.
But, like Badu’s case, the dispute was settled just hours before the tribunal was due to start.
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