Handball body fires referee for blogging
Two former referees are taking the Swedish Handball Federation to court after being fired, reported Svenska Dagbladet newspaper.
One of the referees claims he was dismissed because he was gay, although handball officials say it was due to his personal blog.
SvD reported that Mattias Jansson and Christian Sandblom are suing the federation after being fired in the spring during the Swedish handball championships.
Jansson and Sandblom are together seeking a total of 2.6 million kronor in damages for three counts of violating the law on job security and one count of lost income.
Jansson has also submitted a complaint against the federation to the Swedish Equality Ombudsman for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
SvD reported that the official reason that Jansson was fired was that he wrote about the harassment he faced due to his sexual orientation. His colleague Sandblom was given notice at the same time.
"We have tried to communicate with the federation, without result. That's why we are now taking this to court. It is awful that the federation's actions have also affected my colleague. He isn't gay, but he has had the courage to take my side. And those who have done so aren't popular within the federation," Jansson told SvD.
Christer Thelin, head of the handball federation, told SvD that Jansson's dismissal had nothing to do with his sexual orientation, but rather his blogging. He added that Sandblom was let go because he no longer had a referee partner.
Comments
See Also
One of the referees claims he was dismissed because he was gay, although handball officials say it was due to his personal blog.
SvD reported that Mattias Jansson and Christian Sandblom are suing the federation after being fired in the spring during the Swedish handball championships.
Jansson and Sandblom are together seeking a total of 2.6 million kronor in damages for three counts of violating the law on job security and one count of lost income.
Jansson has also submitted a complaint against the federation to the Swedish Equality Ombudsman for discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
SvD reported that the official reason that Jansson was fired was that he wrote about the harassment he faced due to his sexual orientation. His colleague Sandblom was given notice at the same time.
"We have tried to communicate with the federation, without result. That's why we are now taking this to court. It is awful that the federation's actions have also affected my colleague. He isn't gay, but he has had the courage to take my side. And those who have done so aren't popular within the federation," Jansson told SvD.
Christer Thelin, head of the handball federation, told SvD that Jansson's dismissal had nothing to do with his sexual orientation, but rather his blogging. He added that Sandblom was let go because he no longer had a referee partner.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.