Premier League reach an out of court settlement with an ex-employee just HOURS before it starts - with tribunal over racism, victimisation and harassment claims

The Premier League and a former diversity consultant who accused the organisation of racism have reached an out of court settlement just hours before the case was due to be heard.

Kay Badu, who joined the organisation in 2022, was taking the governing body to an employment tribunal on the grounds of racial discrimination, victimisation and harassment following his departure in December 2022.

The case is was listed to be heard on Tuesday, with the case expected to take a number of days to complete.

But the Premier League have confirmed the matter has now been resolved without the requirement for the case to start.

'The Premier League can confirm that it has resolved an Employment Tribunal claim brought by a former consultant who worked with the League in 2022,' a spokesman said.

'Allegations raised by the consultant were the subject of an independent investigation by specialist external counsel in 2023, which found that they were not justified.

'While the League accordingly rejected the claims, it is pleased both parties have been able to resolve the dispute without the need for a Tribunal.

'The League is committed to a professional, open, fair and inclusive workplace, and to the effectiveness of its wider equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discrimination initiatives.'

The Premier League opened the official investigation into allegations of internal racism made by Badu, but the subsequent probe, carried out by an independent barrister, effectively cleared the organisation and its employees of discrimination.

Badu strenuously disagreed with the findings of the Premier League's investigation and launched his own legal case.

Chief executive Richard Masters was due to give evidence during the tribunal, as was Catherine Paterson, the Premier League's director of people.

Earlier this year the Premier League reached another out of court settlement with an employee amid similar allegations.

Moloud Ghashghee - an IT technician at the Premier League - opened her own legal case on the grounds of race and disability discrimination.

But, like Badu's case, the dispute was settled just hours before the tribunal was due to start.