Working in the PR team at Newcastle United must be one of the toughest tasks around these days, and we do have sympathy for whoever had to draft up an official statement regarding today's decision in the Jonas Gutierrez case.
Having heard evidence from both sides, including "unconvincing evidence" from Newcastle, the tribunal ruled in favour of Jonas Gutierrez on two counts:
The tribunal found that Gutierrez was discriminated against following his diagnosis and subsequent return to fitness as it deemed he was considered part of the club's plans right up to the point of his absence.
The tribunal also concluded that Gutierrez was not considered for selection following his return to fitness until he could not achieve the 80 Premier League starts required over the length of his four-year contract to trigger the extension.
Shocking stuff, to be fair.
The backlash from the Newcastle supporters was swift, but you would think that an official statement would seek to ease their complaints, right? Well, you would be wrong, as the statement which came out was short, and strange.
The tribunal has now given its decision in the case brought against the Club by Jonas Gutierrez. It found for him on two of the four heads of claim.
We recognise that the task facing the tribunal was a difficult one, but we are dismayed by its decision. We will now take time to consider the judgement in full and consult with our legal team to understand the options available to us.
Dismayed? Seriously?
Pay the man what you owe him (it's only £2m too for crying out loud) for treating him like shit and move on.
Gutierrez was a hero on Tyneside, so by continuing to fight this case in this manner will only turn more fans against the club, if that was at all possible, of course. But just look at his response today:
The Way they threat me Is not The Way. Any Way i am a fucking geordie
— Jonas Gutierrez (@elgalgojonas) April 14, 2016
The club won't win this one.
[via NUFC.co.uk]
