Qualifying bodies

Case 2: The facts

Under the Race Relations Act, a claim can be brought for discrimination against a body that can "confer an authorisation or qualification". In this case, an amateur footballer alleged that a football association had discriminated against him.

The ruling

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) held that the case could not be pursued. Firstly, it did not relate to anything in the employment field. Secondly, an amateur football association cannot grant qualifications or determine whether someone has the appropriate standard of competence to practise a profession, and therefore does not fall within the jurisdiction of section 12 of the Act.

Jeffrey-Shaw v Shropshire County Premier Football League UKEAT/0320/04