Getty ImagesFollowing the death of Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei, UK Athletics (UKA) and its former head of sport have entered a not-guilty plea to manslaughter.
Hayayei, 36, passed away on July 11 after receiving a metal cage during training at Newham Leisure Centre in east London ahead of the World Paralympics.
At a pre-trial hearing at the Old Bailey, the UKA and Keith Davies, 77, both denied using reasonable care to protect the health and safety of non-employees.
At the 2017 World Paralympics Championships in London, Hayayei, who represented the United Arab Emirates, was scheduled to compete in the F34 shot put, discus, and javelin events.
In 2012 and 2017, UKA was accused of “routinely” providing or providing shot put and discus cages that were “without their said base structures.”
According to the charge of corporate manslaughter, senior management’s behavior “fell far below what could reasonably be expected””.
Mr. Davies is charged with “gross breach of duty of care.”
A cage allegedly provided, supplied, and erected without the base structure he claimed to have known during his role as the head of sport for the 2017 World Para-Athletics Championships.
Additionally, he has been accused of a health and safety offence related to overseeing the use of shot-put cages and discus during the time period from October 2012 to July 2017.
Simon Antrobus KC, who represented UKA at the hearing, entered the pleas for the organization.
Mr. Davies was given a bail without conditions.
On December 12, 2025, the Old Bailey will hold the case’s next hearing.
Source: BBC
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