Footballer Sues Clubs Over Racism Claims

A former football player is suing two clubs, Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and Crawley Town. He says he faced racist abuse while playing for Crawley and that QPR did not protect him or give him a new contract after he complained. He is asking for over £11 million.
By Newsroom | Football, Legal |

Background

In August 2023, Amrit Bansal-McNulty, a 23-year-old footballer, initiated legal proceedings against QPR. His claim centers on alleged racist abuse he experienced during a loan spell at Crawley Town. He asserts that QPR was aware of the environment at Crawley, particularly concerning the conduct of Crawley's manager, John Yems, who has a history of facing charges related to discriminatory language.

QPR and Crawley sued for £11.1m by former player who claims they did not protect him - 1

Bansal-McNulty alleges that after he raised concerns about the abuse he endured, QPR did not renew his contract. He claims this decision was a direct result of him speaking out about his experiences. He further states that QPR's under-23 coach, Chris Ramsey, was informed of the situation but allegedly failed to take appropriate action. This lack of action, he contends, constitutes a failure by QPR to safeguard him from discrimination.

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QPR and Crawley sued for £11.1m by former player who claims they did not protect him - 2

Evidence and Claims

The legal action, expected to be heard at the London Central Employment Tribunal, involves several key assertions:

QPR and Crawley sued for £11.1m by former player who claims they did not protect him - 3

  • Racist Abuse at Crawley: Bansal-McNulty claims he suffered direct race discrimination at Crawley Town, specifically referencing the alleged behavior of manager John Yems. Yems was previously banned for three years by the FA for using discriminatory language, the longest such punishment in English football.

  • QPR's Knowledge and Non-Action: Bansal-McNulty alleges that QPR was "in the knowledge" of the "old school" environment at Crawley, implying awareness of potential discriminatory practices. He claims that after he complained about the abuse, QPR did not renew his contract.

  • Failure to Safeguard: A core element of the lawsuit is the accusation that QPR failed to protect Bansal-McNulty from the alleged racism he faced during his loan spell. This includes a specific claim that former QPR boss Chris Ramsey was informed of the complaints and allegedly "brushed off" the concerns.

  • Contract Non-Renewal: Bansal-McNulty believes the decision not to renew his contract was a retaliatory measure after he reported the racist abuse. He claims he was "left feeling brushed off, surprised and upset" by the perceived lack of support from Ramsey, especially given Ramsey's own background.

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QPR has reportedly declined to comment on the ongoing case but is understood to plan a strong defense. The club is noted for its public stance against discrimination.

QPR and Crawley sued for £11.1m by former player who claims they did not protect him - 4

This lawsuit brings to light other past and present legal and ethical issues involving both clubs and individuals associated with them:

  • John Yems and Crawley Town: Crawley Town manager John Yems was found guilty of 11 charges of racist abuse, resulting in a three-year FA ban. Separately, a former employee of Crawley Town has accused the club of breaking the Modern Slavery Act, alleging unfair dismissal and lack of proper payment after he raised concerns about his workload.

  • QPR's History: QPR has faced other legal challenges. In 2017, the club was reportedly facing a potential £40 million fine for breaching financial fair play rules, a matter that was later resolved through an agreement with the EFL, ensuring the club's future. In a different context, QPR previously employed a youth officer, Chris Gieler, who was the subject of an internal investigation in the 1980s regarding alleged historical child abuse. Reports suggest the club continued to employ him after this investigation. More recently, QPR owner Tony Fernandes was sued by a racing driver over an alleged failure to honor a deal for a car and wages.

Player's Perspective

Amrit Bansal-McNulty, the player at the center of the current legal action, expressed his distress over the situation. He stated that he expected a more sympathetic response from Chris Ramsey, given Ramsey's racial background, which makes the alleged lack of action particularly disappointing for him.

Expert Analysis

Legal experts in employment law suggest that cases involving alleged discrimination and retaliatory contract termination are complex. The burden of proof often rests on the claimant to demonstrate a causal link between the protected disclosure (reporting racism) and the adverse action (contract non-renewal). The involvement of a manager with a prior ban for racist conduct could be seen as a significant factor in assessing the alleged knowledge and environment at Crawley Town. The failure of a club to act on a safeguarding complaint, especially when a senior figure is involved, can lead to substantial legal and reputational damage.

Conclusion

The £11.1 million lawsuit filed by Amrit Bansal-McNulty against QPR and Crawley Town highlights serious allegations of racial discrimination and a failure in safeguarding protocols within professional football. The claims are rooted in his experiences on loan at Crawley, the alleged inaction by QPR personnel, and the subsequent non-renewal of his contract. The case is expected to bring further scrutiny to the clubs' internal practices and their handling of discrimination complaints. The outcome will likely have implications for how clubs are held accountable for protecting players from abuse and for retaliatory actions following whistleblowing.

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Sources Used:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is suing whom?
A former player is suing Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and Crawley Town.
Q: What are the main claims?
The player says he faced racist abuse at Crawley Town and that QPR did not protect him or renew his contract after he complained.
Q: How much money is being asked for?
The player is asking for £11.1 million in damages.
Q: What happened with the manager at Crawley?
The manager at Crawley, John Yems, was banned for using racist language before.
Q: Did QPR know about the problems?
The player claims QPR knew about the situation and did not take proper action to keep him safe.