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Mark McCammon wins racism case against Gillingham FC Mark McCammon wins racism case against Gillingham FC
(9 months later)
A black footballer was racially victimised before being unfairly sacked by Gillingham FC, an employment tribunal has ruled.A black footballer was racially victimised before being unfairly sacked by Gillingham FC, an employment tribunal has ruled.
Mark McCammon, 33, a former Barbados international striker who signed for the League Two side in 2008 and was dismissed last year for alleged misconduct, said he had been put through hell.Mark McCammon, 33, a former Barbados international striker who signed for the League Two side in 2008 and was dismissed last year for alleged misconduct, said he had been put through hell.
His solicitor, Sim Owalabi, said it was believed to be the first time a footballer had successfully brought a case of race victimisation against a professional football club before an employment tribunal.His solicitor, Sim Owalabi, said it was believed to be the first time a footballer had successfully brought a case of race victimisation against a professional football club before an employment tribunal.
The player told the hearing in Ashford, Kent, that he and other black players at the club were treated differently from white players.The player told the hearing in Ashford, Kent, that he and other black players at the club were treated differently from white players.
Gillingham FC said in a statement it was "staggered" by the ruling and was taking legal advice about a possible appeal.Gillingham FC said in a statement it was "staggered" by the ruling and was taking legal advice about a possible appeal.
McCammon told the tribunal he was ordered to come into the ground amid "treacherous" snowy driving conditions or be fined, while some white players were told they were not required.McCammon told the tribunal he was ordered to come into the ground amid "treacherous" snowy driving conditions or be fined, while some white players were told they were not required.
The club tried to "frustrate him out" by refusing to pay private medical bills for injury treatment, while a white team-mate had been flown to Dubai for treatment at the club's expense, he claimed.The club tried to "frustrate him out" by refusing to pay private medical bills for injury treatment, while a white team-mate had been flown to Dubai for treatment at the club's expense, he claimed.
McCammon, who signed for £2,500 a week and was the club's highest-paid player, was also told not to blog while others were permitted to, he said. During an injury spell, he had to stay behind at the club for four hours longer than other injured and non-injured players, he claimed.McCammon, who signed for £2,500 a week and was the club's highest-paid player, was also told not to blog while others were permitted to, he said. During an injury spell, he had to stay behind at the club for four hours longer than other injured and non-injured players, he claimed.
He was dismissed after a disciplinary hearing following a confrontation during which he accused club officials of being "racially intolerant" regarding the decision to order him in during the heavy snow, the tribunal heard.He was dismissed after a disciplinary hearing following a confrontation during which he accused club officials of being "racially intolerant" regarding the decision to order him in during the heavy snow, the tribunal heard.
After he left the club, Gillingham "were effectively campaigning covertly against me", he said, by trying to sabotage his career.After he left the club, Gillingham "were effectively campaigning covertly against me", he said, by trying to sabotage his career.
McCammon, who signed for Braintree last year, has previously played for Millwall, Charlton and Swindon.McCammon, who signed for Braintree last year, has previously played for Millwall, Charlton and Swindon.
His solicitor said in a statement after the ruling that McCammon was relieved and hoped it would lead to other players raising legitimate complaints of discrimination and that they would not "suffer the traumatic treatment that he has for doing so".His solicitor said in a statement after the ruling that McCammon was relieved and hoped it would lead to other players raising legitimate complaints of discrimination and that they would not "suffer the traumatic treatment that he has for doing so".
"He is pleased that the employment tribunal has found in his favour and feels that the judgment makes clear that his dismissal was not only unfair but an act of race victimisation," said Owalabi."He is pleased that the employment tribunal has found in his favour and feels that the judgment makes clear that his dismissal was not only unfair but an act of race victimisation," said Owalabi.
The statement added that McCammon was "astounded that the club went to such lengths both to dismiss him and win their case before the tribunal".The statement added that McCammon was "astounded that the club went to such lengths both to dismiss him and win their case before the tribunal".
Gillingham chairman Paul Scally, described the claims as being made "maliciously and without foundation".Gillingham chairman Paul Scally, described the claims as being made "maliciously and without foundation".
The club statement said: "We are hugely disappointed, in fact staggered, by this decision. As an organisation we are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate against, nor victimise our staff.The club statement said: "We are hugely disappointed, in fact staggered, by this decision. As an organisation we are an equal-opportunity employer and do not discriminate against, nor victimise our staff.
"This case is the first of its kind to be brought against the club in its entire history, a history that has seen the club employ many thousands of staff of various race, religion and creed, none of whom have ever felt the need to bring such a claim."This case is the first of its kind to be brought against the club in its entire history, a history that has seen the club employ many thousands of staff of various race, religion and creed, none of whom have ever felt the need to bring such a claim.
"Given the nature of the case, and the findings, we will discuss the judgment with our lawyers and decide upon the next course of action, as deemed appropriate."Given the nature of the case, and the findings, we will discuss the judgment with our lawyers and decide upon the next course of action, as deemed appropriate.
"There will be no further comment on the case by the club until the matter has run its full course"."There will be no further comment on the case by the club until the matter has run its full course".
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