Full Breakdown
Legal Action Against QPR and Crawley Town Over Alleged Racism
2/12/2026, 8:21:14 PM
Overview of the Case
Former footballer Amrit Bansal-McNulty is suing Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and Crawley Town for over £11 million, claiming that the clubs failed to protect him from alleged racist abuse during his loan at Crawley in the 2021-22 season. The case is currently being heard at the Central London Employment Tribunal, where Bansal-McNulty seeks compensation for loss of opportunity and personal injury, asserting that the alleged abuse significantly harmed his career and mental health.
Allegations of Racism
Bansal-McNulty's claims center around incidents involving John Yems, the former manager of Crawley Town, who has been banned for three years by the Football Association (FA) for using discriminatory language. Among the allegations, Yems reportedly referred to Bansal-McNulty as a “curry muncher” and made comments about food that were deemed racially insensitive. Bansal-McNulty contends that these experiences contributed to the end of his professional career.
Evidence Presented
As part of the tribunal proceedings, Bansal-McNulty's legal team submitted evidence, including a text message from QPR's former professional development coach, Paul Hall, which compared him favorably to other players. Despite joining QPR at age 14, Bansal-McNulty did not make a first-team appearance and had limited success during his loan at Crawley, where he played only four matches in League Two.
Bansal-McNulty alleges that when he raised concerns about Yems's behavior with QPR's then sporting director, Chris Ramsey, he was told that such language was common in lower divisions and that he needed to learn to cope with it. Ramsey has acknowledged the conversation but denied that he was informed the comments were racist.
Responses from Key Figures
John Yems has defended his comments, stating that his use of the term “curry pizza” was intended as a joke meant to uplift Bansal-McNulty. He has since participated in diversity training to better understand the implications of his language. Ramsey, who has a history of advocating for diversity in sport, has denied minimizing Bansal-McNulty's experiences.
Criticism and Opposition
While Bansal-McNulty is the only former Crawley player to pursue legal action, other players have testified against Yems at the FA hearing. This highlights a broader concern regarding the culture of racism within football, particularly in lower leagues. Critics argue that the response from QPR and Crawley may reflect systemic issues in addressing racism in the sport.
What's Next
The tribunal is expected to reach a decision on liability this month, with further hearings to determine the level of damages if Bansal-McNulty's claims are upheld. Both QPR and Crawley Town have denied any wrongdoing and have been approached for comments regarding the ongoing case.
