The Daily Star understands that the Football Association have been asked to investigation Leeds United owner Massimo Cellino following the sexual discrimination case on Lucy Ward.
In addition to Cellino, it is believed that Ward wants the FA to investigate club secretary Stuart Hayton and former executive director Adam Pearson.
Ward, who was the long-serving welfare officer with the Elland Road club won here case against wrongful dismissal and sexual discrimination last week. Cellino was found guilty on both counts.
However, Ward has asked her barrister, Nick Randall, to contact the FA to launch a further investigation into the incident. It is understood that the FA responded to that letter and agreed to look into those allegations, with the potential of charges being set upon the three individuals. A FA spokesman confirmed,
“We can confirm we have contacted Lucy’s legal people to discuss looking into the case. An investigation will begin in due course.”
Officially, the Football Association cannot conduct an investigation until June 10th 2016, which is when Ward is back in court to discover the amount of compensation she will receive from the Championship club.
There is a good chance that the governing body will ‘come down hard’ on Cellino as they look to completely eradicate and remove discrimination from the game. Previously, Karl Oyston and Dave Whelan, Blackpool chairman and one-time Wigan Athletic chairman respectively, have both been punished by the FA after being found guilty of discrimination.
Cellino has come under huge pressure from fans of the club to sell and leave, with protests taking place before, during and after certain matches this season. The Italian didn’t attend the Lucy Ward hearing, but blamed his legal team for being found guilty, he said,
“I didn’t follow (the case) actually. It was not an important thing. The only thing I’m very disappointed (about) is that I never said anything about what has come out about women.
“(That comment) is a very disrespectful thing (to) my mother and my daughter and my wife. It means I have no consideration and no respect.
“Women and children are the most important thing. I think they deserve respect. That’s why that (comment) hurts me.”
This certainly is not to last we have heard on this matter.
