Black football player wins 'racism' case in UK

Black footballer, Mark McCammon, 33, has won a landmark case after an employment tribunal ruled he was racially victimised at his former club Gillingham FC .

Former Barbados international player McCammon took legal action against the Gillingham FC after being dismissed for alleged misconduct last year.

His claim for race discrimination - thought to be the first by a professional footballer - and unfair dismissal was brought against the League Two side and its chairman Paul Scally.

The striker told a hearing in Ashford, Kent, UK, that he and other black players at the club were treated differently from white players.

McCammon said he was ordered to come into the ground amid 'treacherous', snowy driving conditions while some white players were told they were not required.

He also said the club tried to 'frustrate him out' by refusing to pay private medical bills to help him regain his fitness following injury.

Instead, he claims he was offered the same operation on the NHS rather than privately, a move he described as 'completely out of character' for a Football League club, and that he was fined two weeks' wages when he paid a visit to a private consultant.

In contrast, the former Charlton, Swindon, Millwall and Brighton player said, a white team-mate was flown to Dubai for treatment by an eminent physiotherapist at the club's expense.

In a letter sent to the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) outlining his grievances, McCammon also claimed he was told not to blog while others were permitted to.

McCammon told the tribunal that he had been put 'through hell' at Gillingham and had not been given an answer over why he was treated differently to other players.

Dubai-based Gillingham chairman Paul Scally described McCammon's claims as being made 'maliciously and without foundation', adding that the club had not had to deal with an allegation of racism in 18 years.

The events which led up to McCammon's dismissal were triggered on November 30 2010, when south-east England bore the brunt of heavy snowfall.

The forward said that after leaving the club, Gillingham 'were effectively campaigning covertly against me' by trying to sabotage his career.
Strong interest was shown following his departure by 11 clubs but talks with all collapsed, often at a late stage.

Legal experts estimated Mr McCammon would expect to receive in excess of £40,000 compensation, although the figure could be higher.
However, Mr McCammon's barrister today confirmed the tribunal panel had reserved its decision on compensation until a hearing, scheduled for August 10.

Rad Kohanzad, of Atlantic Chambers, Liverpool, said the ruling represented a landmark in British football - as the first instance of racial victimisation being proved by a player.

He said: 'Usually, most disputes between club and player are dealt with by the Football League or the Football Association internally.
'However, this is the first race victimisation case that a footballer has brought before an employment tribunal, in a public forum.'

Officials at Gillingham said they were 'staggered' by the ruling, saying the club had employed thousands of staff of different races and religions.

McCammon's case comes after high-profile incidents concerning racism allegations in football.

This week John Terry vowed to fight an FA charge of making a racist remark towards QPR defender Anton Ferdinand. Terry was found not guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence at Westminster Magistrates Court on July 13.

Last season Liverpool's Luis Suarez was banned for racially abusing Patrice Evra but that case never went to court.

In February David Cameron hosted a summit at 10 Downing Street amid widespread concern over racism in football.