Gillingham and chairman Paul Scally fined £75k each
Friday 31 July 2015 15:13, UK
Gillingham and club chairman Paul Scally have been fined £75,000 each for misconduct by the FA.
The charges relate to former striker Mark McCammon, who an employment tribunal has already ruled was unfairly dismissed by the League One club and that the dismissal was an act of racial victimisation.
McCammon was released by Gillingham in 2011 and claimed the club refused him treatment for an injury, docked him wages and fined him for failing to attend training during heavy snow. He also alleged black players were treated differently from white players.
The club appealed against the decision by the tribunal in 2012 but the verdict was upheld by a judge in September 2013 and McCammon was awarded £68,000.
Now both the club and Scally have been punished by the FA for bringing the game into disrepute.
A statement from the FA said: "Gillingham FC and its chairman Paul Scally have been fined £75,000 each, subject to any appeal, after FA misconduct charges against them were found proven.
"The Club and Mr Scally, who has also been ordered to attend an education programme, were found to be in breach of FA Rule E3(1) for failing to act in the best interests of the game and bringing the game into disrepute."
Following the ruling, Scally released a statement on the club’s official website confirming he plans to appeal the decision.
"I am shocked, stunned and angered by this decision, as are my staff at the club," Scally’s statement said.
"The level of these sanctions is manifestly excessive, totally disproportionate and completely unjust.
"We have been given no reasoned explanation for the severity of the fines. The Club and I will be appealing against this decision and, if necessary, we will take the matter beyond the FA."
