Footballer Rico Quitongo was victimised by club, tribunal rules

The employment appeal tribunal judgement, external said: “On 16 October 2021, whilst the respondents’ investigation was ongoing, the appellant’s agent sent a message to the club manager, Mr Murray in which he stated that the appellant had been ‘hung out to dry… called a liar by a director who was trying to sweep this under the carpet’ and ‘suspended’ for drawing the allegation of racial abuse to the attention of the respondents.

“Similar allegations were made by the agent in a tweet at or about the same time.”

Thereafter, the judgement added, the club refused to communicate with the player’s agent.

Judge Fairley concluded: “The only possible conclusion from the findings made was that the act of cutting off communications with the appellant’s agent was an act of victimisation because of the contents of the text.”

He ruled that the footballer should be paid compensation.

Another employment tribunal will be held to determine if Mr Quitongo was racially harassed when it was suggested he was “seeking publicity” by complaining about the alleged racist comment made by the fan.

Appeals on four other grounds of complaint were refused.

Airdrieonians have been approached for comment.