FA Charge Gillingham With 'Race Victimisation'

Gillingham FC and its chairman, Paul Scally, have been charged with victimising one of their players because he was black.

The FA brought charges on Friday alleging Gillingham and Mr Scally had committed 'an act of race victimisation' when they dismissed striker Mark McCammon in 2011.

An employment tribunal ruled McCammon was sacked unlawfully in a case of racial victimisation. Gillingham's appeal against that decision was thrown out by a High Court judge.

Both Gillingham and Mr Scally have until November 14 to respond to the charges, the FA announced in a statement.

"Gillingham FC has been charged, along with its chairman Paul Scally, with a breach of FA Rule E3.

"In both instances it is alleged that they failed to act in the best interests of the game, and/or brought the game into disrepute by committing an act of race victimisation by dismissing Mark McCammon.''

McCammon, who is now 36, joined Gillingham in 2008 but was released three years later after five goals in 62 appearances.

He claimed Gillingham refused him treatment for an injury, docked him wages and fined him for failing to attend training during heavy snow.

McCammon also alleged black players were treated differently from white players at the club.

Gillingham chairman Scally rejected the allegations ahead of the July 2012 tribunal, claiming they were "made maliciously and without foundation''.

The employment tribunal in Ashford ruled in McCammon's favour and he was subsequently awarded £68,000, before a judge upheld the tribunal's decision in September 2013.

Gillingham have told Heart the club will be making no comment at this stage.