Fired Leeds United officer rejected return to the club

FORMER welfare officer at Leeds United, Lucy Ward told a tribunal that she rejected a return to her position at the club, after receiving a letter she described as “damage limitation.”

Ms Ward said the letter from club chairman and owner Massimo Cellino was “not genuine”

According to the BBC Ms Ward said: “It’s a toxic environment in there now, I don’t think anyone could seriously expect me to go back.”

Mr Cellino also did a U-turn at the hearing, having promised to give evidence, he left before the hearing had started, with his barrister Lucy Bairstow saying his departure was due to unwanted press attention at the hearing.

The highest award Ms Ward could receive would be £450,000, with around £70,000 in court costs.However compensation claims will not be decided upon until a hearing on 21 June.

Ms Ward win her case over unfair dismissal in April after being fired last year. The club said she had exceeded her annual leave entitlement, whilst Ms Ward argued that her departure was related to her relationship with Neil Redfearn, the former head coach at the club.