The Premier League have reached an out-of-court settlement with former diversity consultant Kay Badu who accused the organisation of racism.
Badu was taking the league to court over racial discrimination, victimisation and harassment claims after leaving his role in December 2022 (h/t Daily Mail).
His case was set to be heard on Tuesday but the governing body avoided a potentially damaging employment tribunal by reaching an out-of-court settlement with the former consultant.
A spokesman said: “The Premier League can confirm that it has resolved an Employment Tribunal claim brought by a former consultant who worked with the league in 2022.
“Allegations raised by the consultant were the subject of an independent investigation by specialist external counsel in 2023, which found that they were not justified.
While the league accordingly rejected the claims, it is pleased both parties have been able to resolve the dispute without the need for a tribunal.
“The league is committed to a professional, open, fair and inclusive workplace, and to the effectiveness of its wider equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discrimination initiatives.”
Badu claimed internal racial discrimination against senior staff at the organisation.
The Premier League launched an official investigation into the racism allegations, hiring an independent barrister to investigate.
But the probe cleared the league and its employees of discrimination. Badu wasn’t satisfied with the findings of the investigation and launched his own legal case.
This is not the first time the Premier League have faced allegations of discrimination.
Earlier this year, former employee Moloud Ghashghaee opened her own legal case regarding race and disability discrimination but it was also settled out of court.
