QPR and Crawley Town Face £11.1m Lawsuit Over Alleged Racist Abuse
Queens Park Rangers and Crawley Town are embroiled in a high-stakes legal battle, with former player Amrit Bansal-McNulty suing both clubs for £11.1 million. The claim, currently being heard at the Central London Employment Tribunal, alleges that the clubs failed to protect him from racist banter, which he asserts ended his professional football career and caused significant psychological harm. Both QPR and Crawley have firmly denied any wrongdoing in the case.
Details of the Allegations and Tribunal Proceedings
Bansal-McNulty, a former Northern Ireland Under-21 international, bases his claim on experiences during the 2021-22 season while on loan at Crawley from QPR. He alleges that he was subjected to racial abuse by then-manager John Yems, who is now serving a three-year ban imposed by the Football Association for discriminatory language. The FA found Yems guilty of 12 charges, including using terms like "curry muncher" and making references to "curry pizza," which Bansal-McNulty claims were part of a pattern of racist behavior.
In tribunal evidence, Bansal-McNulty testified alongside Yems and several QPR officials, including former technical directors Les Ferdinand and Chris Ramsey, and ex-manager Mark Warburton. The player contends that when he reported the abuse to Ramsey in April 2022, he was told such language was common in lower divisions and that he needed to cope with it. Ramsey has denied this, stating he was not informed the banter was racist and has not downplayed the impact.
Career Impact and Financial Claims
Bansal-McNulty joined QPR at age 14 but never made a first-team appearance for the club. During his loan at Crawley, he made only four League Two appearances and three cup matches before being released by QPR when his contract expired. Since then, he has played for Waltham Abbey in the Isthmian League North Division, a significant drop from professional football. His legal team is seeking a net award of £6.1 million, with a gross figure of £11.1 million before tax, citing loss of opportunity and personal injury.
Supporting evidence includes text messages from QPR's former coach Paul Hall, who compared Bansal-McNulty favorably to players like Eberechi Eze and Ilias Chair, highlighting his potential. The tribunal is expected to rule on liability this month, with a potential second hearing to determine damages if the decision favors the player.
Broader Context and Club Responses
Yems was suspended by Crawley in April 2022 after multiple squad members reported racist behavior, leading to his departure by mutual consent. The FA charged him with 16 counts of discriminatory language, with 12 upheld. During his ban, Yems has undertaken diversity training, and in tribunal testimony, he described the "curry pizza" comment as a joke meant to lift spirits after a poor performance.
While several Crawley players reported Yems to the Professional Footballers' Association and testified in the FA hearing, Bansal-McNulty is the only one pursuing legal action. Both QPR and Crawley have been approached for comment but maintain their denial of any misconduct. The case underscores ongoing issues of racism and duty of care in football, with significant financial and reputational stakes for the clubs involved.
