U.K. Athletics faces manslaughter charges over Paralympian’s death

In July 2017, just days ahead of the World Para Athletics Championships at London Stadium in London, United Arab Emirates Paralympic thrower Abdullah Hayayei was killed during training when a metal throwing cage fell on him. On Wednesday, nearly eight years after his death, U.K.’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) pressed criminal charges for corporate manslaughter against U.K. Athletics, according to the New York Times.

UK Athletics and one of its former technical officials have been charged with manslaughter over the death of the Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei, who was crushed by a metal cage at a London training venue in 2017@Lawton_Times reports 🔽https://t.co/hgHQaMvre7

— Times Sport (@TimesSport) January 8, 2025

A statement released by CPS authorizing the charges reveals that investigators reviewed evidence provided by local police and determined that U.K. Athletics and its chief official at the time, Keith Davies, violated the Health and Safety at Work Act for failing to fulfill general health and safety duties at the workplace.

“U.K. Athletics Ltd. has been charged with corporate manslaughter and a Health and Safety at Work Act offence,” CPS Special Crime Division Head Malcolm McHaffie said. “Davies, the former Head of Sport at UK Athletics Ltd, has been charged with gross negligence manslaughter and a Health and Safety at Work Act offence.”

The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised criminal charges against UK Athletics Ltd and a man following the death of Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei.

UK Athletics Ltd and former head of sport Keith Davies will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 31 January. pic.twitter.com/IaX9H2wYh4

— Crown Prosecution Service (@CPSUK) January 8, 2025

The Paralympian had competed at Rio 2016, placing sixth in the javelin and seventh in the shot put. His tragic death on July 11 occurred at Newham Leisure Centre in London; the world championships, where Hayayei was set to compete in the F34 discus, javelin and shot put, began on July 14. A moment of silence was held at the championship’s opening ceremony in his honour. Hayayei was 36 and a father of five.

The track and field governing body and 77-year-old Davies will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Jan. 31. Reportedly, U.K. Athletics could be facing an unlimited fine for corporate manslaughter and Davies a prison sentence for gross negligence manslaughter.