Jonas Gutierrez thanks Newcastle fans and welcomes employment tribunal verdict
Friday 15 April 2016 09:56, UK
Former Newcastle United midfielder Jonas Gutierrez has welcomed the decision of an employment tribunal to find in his favour in his disability discrimination case against his former club.
The 32-year-old Argentine has also thanked Newcastle fans for their support throughout the case.
Gutierrez had claimed Newcastle restricted his league appearances after he recovered from testicular cancer to avoid him automatically triggering a one-year extension to his contract at St James' Park in 2015.
The employment tribunal concluded "that the decision to drop the claimant was because of the claimant's cancer", although Newcastle were "dismayed" by the verdict and were considering their options.
Carol Couse, who was the instructing solicitor in the case and attended every day of the tribunal alongside Jonas Gutierrez, has released a statement on behalf of the player following the verdict.
The statement read: "Having battled cancer on two occasions and subsequently suffered unfair treatment by the club as a result of this, Jonas is pleased that the employment tribunal has found in his favour and held that he was indeed discriminated against by Newcastle United due to his cancer diagnosis and treatment.
"As he alleged, it has been determined by the tribunal that the Newcastle United board influenced team selection to prevent Jonas reaching the contractual trigger point to secure an extension to his contract and the evidence of Newcastle officials and ex-officials has been discredited.
"He wishes to place on record his thanks to all the Newcastle fans who have supported him throughout his case.
"This case demonstrates that football is not above the reach of employment law and clubs should be mindful of their duties to treat their playing staff in the same way as they would treat any other employee.
"Jonas had the strength of character to bring this claim under intense press scrutiny and derision from the club to highlight his unfair treatment."
