Black football coach claimed racism after charging Domino’s and KFC at FA expense

A black female football coach claimed she was the victim of racial discrimination after she was confronted by her bosses about counting Domino’s and KFC takeaways towards her football association’s expenses.

Christina Oshodi billed the FA for fast food meals, Sainsbury’s groceries and hygiene and cleaning products, an employment tribunal heard.

When questioned by her supervisors, she claimed that the foods she purchased were “culturally specific” based on her “cultural nutritional needs.”

However, receipts showed she bought takeaway food from Domino’s and KFC, “normal” supermarket items such as spaghetti and chopped tomatoes, and a range of household cleaning products.

Ms Oshodi, who worked as a sofa designer for the FA, made an internal complaint about the conduct of the investigation into her spending and then alleged racial discrimination after she was dismissed for unrelated reasons.

The Watford tribunal has now dismissed her case, saying her claim of “cultural problems” was “unconvincing”.

Andy Poole, Ms Oshodi’s manager, first reported her irregular spending to payroll in June 2018.

The court heard an investigation which identified “questionable” claims made in September 2016. Items purchased included body lotion, ibuprofen, tissues, Blu Tack, a toothbrush, deodorant, Vaseline lotion, shower gel, bleach, floor cleaner, Fairy Liquid and Cif cleaner, as well as takeaways and grocery supermarkets.

The court heard Ms Oshodi was allowed to charge up to £10 for breakfast or lunch and £30 for dinner when traveling on business.

“No pattern” of specialty food

Payroll referred her irregular expenses to human resources, which invited Ms Oshodi to a meeting with Mr Poole’s manager Tony McCallum in December 2018.

Ms Oshodi claimed Mr Poole allowed her to claim food at the expense of preparing it at home, given her allergies and “cultural dietary needs”.

However, the court found “no pattern” in Ms Oshodi purchasing special food at her expense.

Employment judge George Alliott said: “Having looked at a large number of receipts we cannot identify a pattern of purchases of specific cultural foods.”

”[She] I shopped at Sainsbury’s and Tesco and ordered takeaway from Domino’s Pizzas, Kentucky Fried Chicken etc.

“We find [Ms Oshodi] Addressing “cultural issues” or differences is not convincing.

“The vast majority of food purchased [her] was normal mainstream food from big supermarkets.”

No disciplinary action was taken

The court heard that disciplinary action was recommended following the investigation but was not taken.

In May 2019, Ms Oshodi had a further meeting with Mr McCallum to inquire why her expenses had not been paid since the disciplinary process was completed.

Mr McCallum was said to be “frustrated” with Ms Oshodi and left the meeting mid-conversation.

Later, during her performance review, he called her a “waste of time and space.” The court found that these comments constituted discrimination because Mr. McCallum was motivated by “unconscious bias” against a black woman.

Judge Alliott said: “We find that Tony McCallum would not have treated a white male colleague in the same way in similar circumstances.”

Although the court found that she had been racially discriminated against at that meeting, her claim was not upheld because she had brought it too late.

Ms Oshodi worked at the FA until September 2020 but then lost her job due to Covid-related business cuts and was unable to apply for the new positions offered.

Judge Alliott said: “We find that the interview for the limited grassroots coaching roles was fair and that she failed in terms of performance.”

Ms Oshodi lost further claims of victimization and unfair dismissal.