Lucy Ward wins Leeds United unfair dismissal and discrimination case

A former Leeds United employee has won her case for unfair dismissal and sex discrimination against the club.

Lucy Ward worked as the club's education and welfare officer and claimed she was sacked because she was the partner of former head coach Neil Redfearn.

The club denied any wrong doing but an employment judge ruled that on the balance of probabilities, chairman Massimo Cellino had instructed for her to be sacked.

Speaking outside the hearing, which was held in Leeds city centre, Ward said: "It's bitter sweet, but I'm really pleased. I've spent 17 years building up a really good reputation at Leeds for it to be destroyed by the current ownership of Leeds, of this wonderful club.

"It's a club I love dearly. I have enjoyed all my time there. It's a really bitter-sweet moment - it's a victory for me but really difficult to describe. I'm very proud of being part of Leeds United and all the lads I've looked after over the last 17 years.

"I think now my name was absolutely cleared. There were a lot of things said about me that weren't true and I think the judge said that. So I look forward to the rest of my career and hopefully [I'll get] back into football."

A club statement read: "At an employment tribunal this week regarding a former Leeds United employee, the tribunal chairman wilfully chose to publish to the attending press hearsay evidence of an alleged conversation between Mr Cellino and a third party, in which sexist remarks were alleged to have been made by Mr Cellino.

"Mr Cellino was not in court, nor was he a party in the case. However, Mr Cellino categorically denies making the statement, which has since dominated the media coverage of the hearing, and would like to make it clear that such a
statement does not represent his views of women in football whatsoever."

In the wake of the verdict, the Time To Go Massimo group, which has mounted a sustained campaign to oust Cellino from Elland Road, once again called on the 59-year-old to leave.

A statement read: "We are disappointed that because the club failed to follow a correct and fair procedure in dismissing Lucy Ward, a substantial amount of the club's money will be essentially wasted on paying further legal fees (as well as at least some of Ms Ward's legal fees) and giving her the compensation she is entitled to.

"We consider Lucy to be 'one of our own' and wish to thank her for what we understand to be a wonderful 17 years of service at Leeds United (including her playing career), raising amazing talent like Fabian Delph, James Milner, Sam Byram and Lewis Cook to name but a few.

"We hope she would consider returning to Leeds United at a later date under different ownership and much improved practices."