Leeds United ordered to pay £290,000 to Lucy Ward after employment tribunal
Leeds United have been ordered to pay former academy employee Lucy Ward around £290,000 following her employment tribunal victory
Leeds United have been ordered to pay former academy employee Lucy Ward around £290,000 following her employment tribunal victory against the club, her legal representatives have announced. Ward successfully pursued an unfair dismissal and sex discrimination case against Leeds, claiming she was sacked as the club's education and welfare officer because she was former head coach Neil Redfearn's partner. Leeds denied wrongdoing and said she was dismissed for exceeding annual leave entitlement after working for the BBC at the 2015 Women's World Cup, but employment judge Stephen Keevash ruled in Ward's favour in April. Ward's solicitors, FrontRow Legal, announced details of the reserved judgment in a statement on Wednesday, stating: FrontRow Legal can now confirm that the case involving our client, Miss Lucy Ward, and Leeds United Football Club Limited has now concluded with the club ordered to pay to Lucy a figure in the region of £290,000.00 made up of compensation and legal fees.'' FrontRow Legal added Leeds must pay £127,229.81 for the sex discrimination, £5,525 for unfair dismissal and £55,500 in respect of her liability to pay tax to HMRC''. The club must also pay Ward's legal costs in the region of £100,000. The judgment also said Leeds had arranged for senior staff, including chairman Massimo Cellino, to take part in equalities training. Ward was suspended by Leeds in July 2015, shortly after partner Redfearn was removed from his position as first-team head coach. Leeds have not yet commented on Wednesday's announcement of the financial details of the judgment. Ward said:*I am delighted that my case has now concluded with a judgment that is reflective of the losses suffered.* As I have stated previously, this has been an extremely difficult period in my life and I am pleased that I can now try and put the matter behind me.The result is clearly a bitter sweet moment for me as I absolutely loved my job and the club, and I repeat how extremely proud I am of every young man that I have had the honour to work with throughout my 17-year career at Leeds United.''