ECB today announced that an employment tribunal had ruled in its favour following a claim for unfair dismissal and age discrimination brought by two former First Class Umpires.
In a written judgment released today, the tribunal ruled that ECB did not discriminate against or unfairly dismiss the two claimants, George Sharp and Peter Willey.
Both umpires had challenged ECB’s retirement policy for First Class Umpires at an employment tribunal held in London before Judge Wade last month.
In a statement ECB said: “We welcome today’s decision which recognises that our current retirement policy for umpires is firmly based on sound legal principles and not discriminatory on grounds of age. ECB will continue to implement a retirement age of 65 in the interests of inter-generational fairness and in order to ensure that umpiring remains a viable career option for professional cricketers who are nearing the end of their playing careers. Following the conclusion of this case, ECB would also like to thank George Sharp and Peter Willey for their contribution to our First Class Game and wish them well in their retirement.”
