UK Athletics pleads guilty to corporate manslaughter after Paralympian’s death
UK Athletics is facing a potentially multi-million-pound fine after admitting corporate manslaughter over the death of a Paralympian who was killed during a training session ahead of the World Para Athletics Championships in London, reports BritPanorama.
Abdullah Hayayei, a 36-year-old father of five from the United Arab Emirates, suffered fatal injuries when part of a metal throwing cage collapsed during shot put training at Newham Leisure Centre in east London on July 11, 2017.
Nearly nine years after the tragedy, UK Athletics has pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter, while former championships head of sport Keith Davies has admitted a health and safety offence. Sentencing proceedings are due to begin at the Old Bailey on Monday and are expected to last two days.
According to sentencing guidelines, organisations convicted of corporate manslaughter can face fines ranging from £180,000 to as much as £20 million, dependent on the severity of the offence and the financial circumstances of the organisation involved.
Hayayei was preparing to compete at the World Para Athletics Championships, set to begin in London shortly after his death, representing the United Arab Emirates in the F34 classification across discus, javelin, and shot put events. Emergency services responded to the incident, but he was pronounced dead despite attempts to save him.
Investigations revealed that the throwing cage had not been assembled correctly and remained in an unstable condition before training commenced. Prosecutors assert that the collapse was entirely preventable and resulted from severe lapses in safety management.
The Crown Prosecution Service noted that the equipment lacked proper inspection and maintenance, rendering the heavy metal structure dangerously unstable. Colin Gibbs, from the CPS, stated: “Abdullah Hayayei was a father-of-five who should have been able to compete on the world stage and return home safely to his family.”
He added, “There can be no doubt that UK Athletics were grossly negligent in their safety management, which caused the death of a talented athlete. For years, there was a failure to inspect, maintain, and properly manage basic safety components, leaving a heavy metal structure dangerously unstable.”
The prosecution follows an extensive inquiry by the Metropolitan Police that lasted several years, involving the review of over 1,500 documents and around 160 witness statements. Specialist engineering experts were also engaged to determine how the structure failed and identify the chain of events leading to Hayayei’s death.
UK Athletics has expressed regret over the incident, stating earlier, “UK Athletics deeply regrets the incident. Our deepest thoughts and sympathy remain with his family, friends, teammates, and all those affected by the events of that day.”
The case has prompted renewed scrutiny of the organisation, which is the national governing body for athletics in the UK. Latest financial statements for the year ending March 2025 indicated UK Athletics generated annual revenues of £13.8 million, primarily through grants and commercial sponsorships. However, much of that revenue is offset by operating expenses, meaning any substantial financial penalty could have serious implications for the organisation.
As the sentencing looms, the case underscores the critical issues surrounding safety in sport and accountability within governing bodies, a stark reminder of the human cost when safety protocols fail.
