There was an angry backlash to the news that Newcastle United were releasing Argentinian international Jonas Gutierrez at the end of last season, as the fans had watched a player who was already very popular recover from cancer to work his way back into the first team and even score a vital goal in the club's successful avoidance of relegation.
Gutierrez had publicly criticised Newcastle United for not offering any financial support of his cancer treatment, and is now suing the club for around £2m according to the Daily Mail.
Sportsmail understands he [Jonas] has made a claim under the 2010 Equality Act, which relates to discrimination against employees because of mental or physical disability.
Back in March, Gutierrez said the following in relation to the support, or lack there of, he received from Newcastle during his treatment for testicular cancer:
I won't be able to forgive the way I've been treated. I don't think it was the right time nor the circumstances and I think at times like that, you should look after the individual, the player.
I was operated on in Argentina. They removed the testicle. The post-surgery studies were good and well, I went back to England after being discharged.
I returned mid-November (2013) and at the beginning to mid-December the manager said I should find myself another club, that it was best. I understand a lot of things about football, that for the directors it is a business, no?
Jonas Gutierrez is now playing for Deportivo La Coruna in Spain, and is seeking compensation for the treatment which he had to pay out of his own pocket.
We'll keep you updated with any more information we hear on the matter.
via DailyMail.co.uk
