Premier League launches investigation into alleged internal racism

Premier League launches investigation into allegations of internal racism made by a former member of their diversity and inclusion team, who claims the top-flight is ‘angry that I exposed their race problem’

• Kay Badu raised multiple concerns of international discrimination to staff
• The barrister assigned to the probe is from the Blackstone Chambers firm
• The league said it would be completed ‘as soon as practically possible’ 

The Premier League has launched an investigation into allegations of internal racism made by a former member of their diversity and inclusion team, Sportsmail can reveal.

English football’s top-flight have assigned an independent barrister to probe claims made by Kay Badu, who joined the organisation in 2022 on a consultancy basis.

Badu raised multiple concerns of internal racial discrimination to senior staff members last year.

A statement issued to Sportsmail read: ‘Discrimination and prejudice have no place at the Premier League, or anywhere in football, and it is our priority to promote and protect equality, diversity and inclusion.

‘After being made aware of certain recent allegations in the workplace, the Premier League launched an independent investigation into a number of the issues raised.

Kay Badu joined the Premier League in 2022 on a consultancy basis and raised concerns

The Premier League has launched an investigation into internal racism within the organisation

‘This process, which is already underway, is being carried out by an external specialist barrister, whose findings will be provided to the Premier League Board.

‘The Premier League takes these matters extremely seriously and the investigation will be completed as soon as practically possible.

‘The Premier League continues to make progress as part of the League’s No Room for Racism Action Plan and will act against all forms of discrimination to ensure football is inclusive and welcoming for all.’

Sportsmail understands the barrister assigned to carry out the independent probe is from renowned law firm Blackstone Chambers, who are representing Manchester City in the club’s legal battle against alleged financial breaches brought by the Premier League.

However, it is understood the barrister is acting in an independent capacity which should avoid any conflict of interest issues with regards to the City case.

Badu, whose LinkedIn account says he held the role as diversity and inclusion manager at the Premier League, has made a series of damning social media posts in recent days.

In one of his posts, Badu wrote: ‘They’re angry that I exposed the internal PL [Premier League] race problem.’

Another read: ‘It’s going to take a serious PR guru to try and spin this one, especially as you have a public facing campaign entitled No Room For Racism.

Badu opened a social media poll asking whether a certain expression was a racist 

‘To be clear, I and others have been subjected to racism at the Premier League. This is institutional racism not ignorance.

‘This ordeal has taken a toll on my mental well-being. Racism slowly breaks you down. Racism takes away your dignity and your will to live.’

Badu also opened a social media poll asking whether the expression ‘well I’m going to the clean part of Africa’ is racist comment.

In February 2022, it was reported that Badu was handed a six-figure financial settlement by the Government over racism allegations during a previously held role in Whitehall.

At the time, Badu told The Independent he had been the target of bullying at the hands of white managers during his employment at the Cabinet Office.

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