16 December 2000 - An Employment Tribunal awarded
Rugby League player Paul Sterling £15,950.58 in damages after finding that Leeds Rhinos (Leeds Rugby League Club)
of racial discrimination against him. They also ordered the club to reinstate Mr Sterling on the same terms as the previous contract.
The player's coach had told him that he would not be considered for the first team irrespective of his performance.
No valid reason was given for this decision. Tthe Leeds Tribunal determined that Mr Sterling's exclusion from the first team could only
be attributed to discrimination.
Paul Sterling said: "I have always prided myself on my commitment and hard work and have
always believed that performance on the field is what counts. I have been very disappointed
with the negative media attention I have received as a result of my claim to the Employment
Tribunal. The Leeds Rhinos and certain sections of the Rugby League press have vilified me
and branded me a troublemaker for exercising my rights. I am pleased that today's judgement
clears my name beyond the shadow of a doubt."
The tribunal ordered written apologies from Coach Dean Lance, Managing Director David Howes
and Chief Executive Gary Hetherington, as well as a press release from the Rhinos.
The case had first been taken up by the CRE and Leeds Race Equality Council in February 2000
After the decision, Novlette Rennie of Sporting Equals - a joint initiative between
the CRE and Sport England aimed at tackling racism in sport, said:
"This case is a reminder to all sports clubs and national governing bodies of sport that
they must take - and monitor - complaints of race discrimination seriously, and consider what
steps they can take towards creating a more equitable sporting system in this country.
This week Sporting Equals launched Achieving Racial Equality: A standard for sport, a document
for sports clubs and national governing bodies of sport which provides a framework to help them
plan, develop and achieve racial equality in all aspects of their organisation."
Contact
HRM Guide