UK Athletics denies manslaughter of Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei
Getty ImagesAfter the death of Abdullah Hayayei at the Paralympic Games, the British Track and Field Athletics (UKA) and its former sports director are not guilty of homicide.
Hayayei, 36, died on July 11, 2017, and fell before the World Championships while he was training at the Newham Recreation Centre in East London.
At a pre-trial hearing at Old Bailey, UKA denied further allegations that failed to ensure the safety of non-employees, while Keith Davies, 77, of East London, denied failing to provide reasonable care for health and safety.
According to the allegations, the lens cage used by Hayayei is allegedly without its “basic structure”.
Hayayei, who represents the United Arab Emirates, participated in the 2016 United Arab Emirates, where he will compete in the F34 shot put, discus and javelin at the 2017 World Para Track and Field Championships in London.
UKA is accused of providing or providing shot put and discus cages “regularly” during activities between 2012 and 2017, which “have no said infrastructure.”
The corporate manslaughter charge alleges that senior management of the organization is “far below reasonable expectations.”
It is said that between October 2012 and July 2017, UKA failed to provide “safe track and field equipment” for international track and field and para sports events, including competitions and training activities.
Mr. Davis was charged with “serious breach of care obligations.”
In his role as sports director for the 2017 World Para Sports Championship, he allegedly “knows or should have known or provided a cage without its stated infrastructure.”
He has also been charged with violating health and safety at work, which has been linked to monitoring the provision of discus and shooting cages between October 2012 and July 2017.
UKA was attended by Simon Antrobus KC, who entered the request on behalf of the organization.
Mr. Davis was granted unconditional bail.
The next hearing in the case will be held on October 12, 2025 in Old Bailey.
The trial is scheduled to be held in Old Bailey in December 2026. It is estimated that this will last eight weeks and will be heard by London recorder Judge Mark Lucraft KC.
