Chelsea have sacked their commercial director Damian Willoughby after receiving evidence that he sent inappropriate messages to a female football finance agent.
It was revealed by The Telegraph that Willoughby was sacked after Chelsea were made aware of the content of messages sent to agent Catalina Kim. Willoughby worked in a variety of roles within the City Football Group (CFG) between 2013 and 2021, including as the CEO of CFG's operation in India.
This was before he was hired by Chelsea to become their new Commercial Director under Todd Boehly, at which stage he was required to work alongside Kim. She then raised the concerns to Blues president of business Tom Glick whom she told that Willoughby had sexually harassed her as well as alleging she had felt threatened over the telephone.
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This prompted Chelsea to terminate Willoughby's contract after less than a month and the following statement was released:
"Chelsea Football Club confirms that it has terminated commercial director Damian Willoughby's employment with immediate effect. Evidence of inappropriate messages sent by Mr Willoughby, prior to his appointment at Chelsea FC earlier this month, has recently been provided to and investigated by the club.
"While they were sent prior to his employment at the club, such behaviour runs absolutely counter to the workplace environment and corporate culture being established by the club's new ownership.
"The club's owners are working tirelessly to set and achieve the highest standards both on and off the pitch, and are determined to establish and nurture a culture of transparency, accountability, inclusivity, diversity and opportunity.
"The club is committed to creating an environment which embodies these values."
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