The Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) and Ulster Boxing Council (UBC) has been made aware of (i) a recent article in the Belfast Telegraph; and (ii) statements made by the North Belfast DUP MLA Phillip Brett (Mr Brett) in the Northern Irish Assembly (Assembly) and online, regarding the county court claim brought by Daryl Clarke (Mr Clarke) under reference number ICOS: 22/057351/3 which settled as a result of mediation on 30 August 2024.
Both the IABA and the UBC wish to make the following clear:-
- The dispute between Mr Clarke and the UBC was mutually discontinued and any settlement was made without any admission of fault on either side. This is standard procedure in mediated settlements.
- Neither the IABA or UBC accept as valid any assertion that Mr Clarke was discriminated against on the grounds of his religion or cultural background. Both were fully prepared to defend the claim brought by Mr Clarke in court, but the parties came together to resolve the perceived issues between them on a mutual basis.
- The IABA and UBC agreed to adopt this constructive approach to the litigation brought by Mr Clarke and agreed to use the services of a mediator / enter mediation on the basis; it was a confidential process, would undoubtedly save time and cost for all parties involved. They were hopeful that in reaching a mutually agreed position that it would assist in salvaging the relationship between the parties.
- As part of the agreed terms of settlement with Mr Clarke there was a mutually agreed Press Statement which recorded as follows:-
“Press statement issued on behalf of Mr Daryl Clarke and the Ulster Boxing Council in respect of proceedings in the County Court in Northern Ireland (ICOS No: 22/0573510/3).
The parties are pleased to announce that a mediated settlement has been arrived at to bring to a conclusion a claim that has been brought by Daryl Clarke under the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998.
In resolving this matter, the Ulster Boxing Council and the Irish Athletic Boxing Association have agreed to liaise with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland which will conduct a comprehensive equality review of the governance, practices and procedures applicable to the Ulster Boxing Council to ensure compliance with Fair Employment legislation and relevant Codes of Practice.
The parties are pleased that these proceedings are resolved on a basis that secures fairness and transparency and safeguards the integrity of the sport going forward.”
- The IABA and UBC are disappointed that Mr Clarke and/or people associated with him have chosen to go beyond the agreed Press Statement.
- The IABA and UBC also wish to make clear that statements made by Mr Philip Brett in the Assembly and comments published on his webpage are rejected, including statements that:-
‘the Ulster Boxing Council decided to change the goalposts for selection to suit their own agenda’; and
‘Mr Clarke has now won a substantial settlement against the Ulster Boxing Council under the Fair Employment and Treatment Order 1998’.
- In terms of the above:-
- at all times the selection criteria adopted by the UBC is designed to identify the best boxer for the relevant competition; and
- whilst it is correct that there was a settlement made to Mr Clarke, that was part of the mediated terms, nothing was won or lost, but rather the parties reached a mutually agreed position and there has been no judicial determination on the validity or otherwise of the claim brought by Mr Clarke;
- As has been reported, it is correct the mutually agreed settlement terms record that “Ulster Boxing Council agrees that within 16 weeks of the date of this agreement it shall liaise with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland… which shall conduct a comprehensive Equality Review of the governance, practices and procedures applicable to the Ulster Boxing Council to ensure that they are compliant with the Fair Employment and Treatment (Northern Ireland) Order 1998 and any relevant Codes of Practice”. Such a commitment was a restatement of the IABA and UBC’s already existent (and continuing) commitment to Equality and Equality of Opportunity within the sport of Boxing on the island of Ireland. Positive and constructive meetings were ongoing, and are ongoing, between IABA and UBC representatives and the Equality Commission. The IABA and UWC had/have no fears or concerns about meeting and liaising with the Equality Commission and will continue to do so in the future, because it is satisfied its policies and procedures are compliant with equal opportunity legislation. The aim of the IABA and UBC at all times in the past and going forward has been and will be to secure the selection of the best boxers with medal winning potential to compete at all competitions.
- The IABA and UBC have felt they needed to issue clarification on these matters, which have entered the public domain, in order to set the record straight. The IABA and UBC have already demonstrated it has adopted a constructive and forward thinking approach in terms of addressing any issues in the sport of Boxing and while it will continue with that approach, it will make no further comment on either the case brought by Mr Clarke or any statements or articles made referencing it, other than to again reaffirm and comment that:-
- neither accept there was any bias based on religion or cultural belief;
- both are committed to the concept of equality of opportunity for all;
- they are inclusive organisations, run primarily by volunteers across all sections of society, whose primary aim is to promote the sport of boxing, which they do by not excluding any persons in society; and
- boxing has historically been a sport that has catered for marginalised members of society of all class.
ENDS