Hugh Dallas agrees out of court settlement with SFA

[ian1964 10,626]

Former football referee chief Hugh Dallas has settled with the Scottish Football Association after he was sacked for allegedly sending a joke email about the Pope and child abuse.

 

Mr Dallas was planning to sue the SFA for unfair dismissal at an employment tribunal in Glasgow this week. The hearing was expected to last five days, but tribunal officials confirmed on Monday that an agreement had been made between the two parties.

 

The referee, 53, first challenged his sacking in November last year and his appeal was heard the following month by SFA president George Peat and human resources expert Viv Coady.

 

Both parties agreed with chief executive Stewart Regan's decision to sack him. The row was sparked after it was claimed Dallas sent an offensive email which made a joke at the Catholic priests' child abuse scandal.

 

The email was said to have been sent from the SFA account belonging to Dallas and included an image attachment of a school crossing sign with an adult holding a child's hand and the word "caution".

 

Underneath the road sign were words "The Pope is coming', making reference to the Pope's arrival for a state visit in Scotland. The email was sent in September - the same day Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Scotland as part of his UK tour.

 

At the time angry Catholic Church officials demanded that Dallas resign from his position as head of the referee development. The SFA immediately launched an investigation which resulted in four other staff members being sacked over the email scandal. Three of those people have now been given their jobs back.

 

On Monday, Mr Dallas' lawyer Ms Caroline Carr released a statement on his behalf. It stated: "Hugh Dallas can confirm that the issue has now been resolved to both parties' satisfaction using ACAS conciliation.

 

"Hugh Dallas will continue to support, encourage and promote association football in Scotland and the Scottish referee movement. He has no further comment to make."

 

A spokesman from the SFA added: "It's been resolved to each parties' satisfaction and we have no further comment to make."

 

http://news.stv.tv/scotland/west-central/263691-hugh-dallas-agrees-out-of-court-settlement-with-sfa-over-pope-email-scandal/

[Guest Dutchy]

When will it be illegal to have a sense of humour. We know it's illegal to sexually abuse kids, but little action is taken.

 

This is a fucked up, corrupt world we live in.

[metlika 0]

To me says it all if the SFA or whoever are settling out of court.

[GovanAllan 0]

Surprise surprise SFA settle what an absolute shambles they made of this, a kneejerk reaction when the most corrupt religious organisation in the world told them to. Today's Scotland got to love it, not.