In McClung -v- Doosan Babcock, Mr McClung claimed that he had been discriminated against due to his allegiance to Glasgow Rangers Football Club. Mr McClung’s primary argument was that that support for a football club should be given the same protections under the Equality Act 2010 as race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and disability.
The Tribunal heard that Mr McClung was a lifelong football fan, having attended his first match when he was eight, and that he spends most of his disposable income on football matches. Mr McClung gave evidence that he normally attends at least one or two home games every month, along with away games and cup games.
Mr McClung alleged that his manager excluded him from work opportunities because of his love of Rangers and that he had been subjected to discriminatory comments, including one colleague’s remark that Mr McClung was “unusually okay for a Rangers fan”.
He told the Tribunal: “I live my life in accordance with being a Rangers fan. I don’t go to church. I go to Rangers. It’s a belief to me.
“If people say their religion is protected, how many times do they go to church? I would argue it’s as important to me as someone who has a religion.”
The Tribunal was told: “He never misses a match and considers it a ‘massive’ part of his life. It motivates him to do and be the best he can.”