UK Athletics has pleaded not guilty to a charge of corporate manslaughter and a health and safety offence, following the death of Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei.
Hayayei, who had competed at the Rio Paralympics in 2016, died after a metal throwing cage fell on him at Newham Leisure Centre on July 11, 2017.
The United Arab Emirates athlete was training in preparation to compete in the F34 discus, javelin and shot put at the World Para Athletics Championships in London.
Keith Davies, head of sport for the 2017 World Paralympic Athletics Championships, also pleaded not guilty to a charge of gross negligence manslaughter and a health and safety offence.
Both the governing body, courtesy of Simon Antrobus KC, and Davies appeared at the Old Bailey on Tuesday (March 18) to enter their pleas.
The Met Police launched an investigation following Hayayei’s death, with the Crown Prosecution Service authorising charges as a result of a review of evidence provided by the force.
Keith Davies (Mark Shearman)
According to the charges, Davies, now 77, is said to have “unlawfully killed” Hayayei, as well as an alleged failure to “take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and of other persons who may have been affected by your acts and omissions at work”.
UK Athletics, between October 2012 and July 2017, was accused of “failing to construct a discus cage with its base for international athletics and para-athletics”.
It was also alleged that the governing body “routinely” supplied/provided shot put and discus cages at events between 2012 and 2017 that were “without their said base structures”.
The governing body faces claims of health and safety breaches by senior management as well.
An eight-week trial was set for October 12, 2026 at the Old Bailey. A case management hearing is to take place at the same court on December 12, 2025.
Davies was released on unconditional bail.
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