New race row as ex-Gillingham striker sues club

By David Gold

March 12 – Mark McCammon is suing his former club Gillingham for race discrimination after claiming he and other black players have been mistreated by the League Two club.

McCammon, who left Gillingham last year, is currently with Conference club Braintree Town, but according to reports, claims that punishments from the club for missing training, pay cuts following relegation and injury treatments were different for black players.

Gillingham have released a statement which reads: “The allegations made by Mark McCammon are wholly refuted by the club.

“It would not be appropriate for the club to comment further until the Employment Tribunal hearing has taken place.”

The allegations come amidst rising concern about racism in English football, with a parliamentary committee set to hear evidence about the issue next week.

This season Liverpool forward Luis Suárez (pictured above right) has already been banned for eight games for alleged racist abuse towards Patrice Evra (pictured above left), whilst Chelsea’s John Terry is awaiting a court case hearing after being accused of a similar offence towards Anton Ferdinand, which he denies.

McCammon’s hearing will be heard at an employment tribunal in Kent later in 2012, and says that he is “hopeful that truth will prevail”.

The Professional Footballers’ Association has tried to solve the dispute, revealed its chief executive Gordon Taylor.

“This is a very unusual case,” he said.

“We had hoped to settle the matter within football, as is the norm but that hasn’t happened on this occasion so the tribunal will have to resolve it on matters of fact.”

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