Former Newcastle midfielder Jonas Gutierrez was yesterday successful in a £2m case for unfair dismissal against the club after long and winding legal action.
The winger affectingly known as ‘Spiderman’ claimed that his Cancer diagnosis led the club into deciding to drop him from the side, knowing that his absence from the side would mean a 1 year contract extension clause would be avoided.
The 32-year-old was suing the Magpies for about £2m on the grounds of disability discrimination.
The ruling stated that Gutierrez “had maintained his place in the starting line-up without difficulty for five years.”
“Just over two weeks after the claimant returned to the club in November 2013 following his diagnosis and treatment, and at a point when he was match fit and returning to action he was told that he no longer featured in the club’s future plans. We conclude that the decision to drop the claimant was because of the claimant’s cancer.”
Whilst Jonas is yet to release a following statement, his sentiments were made clear with the following emotionally charged tweets.
I am a geordie i love newcastle .thanks to The fans. Board you understand what it means that?
— Jonas Gutierrez (@elgalgojonas) April 14, 2016
Board, i am a fucking geordie.
— Jonas Gutierrez (@elgalgojonas) April 14, 2016
I am a geordie thanks newcastle fans for your support. I love The city. I hope WE stay up. Come on The toon. Once a geordie always a geordie
— Jonas Gutierrez (@elgalgojonas) April 14, 2016
How made a club Is The fans not The players not The board. Always in my heart geordie nation. I love you
— Jonas Gutierrez (@elgalgojonas) April 14, 2016