Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.In the hard-knuckle world of professional ice hockey, disagreements are traditionally settled with a manly punch-up. But the sport now faces the prospect of defending itself against charges of institutionalised anti-Semitism after a discrimination lawsuit was filed by one of its handful of Jewish players.
Jason Bailey, a 23-year-old signed by the Anaheim Ducks, one of the NHL's best-known sides, claims that he was taunted about his religion by coaches during training sessions. He says he was then given insufficient time on the ice during games, when he was unfairly substituted.
The complaint, filed at Orange County Superior Court this week, tells how Bailey was signed by the Ducks in 2008. Like most young professionals, he was sent to learn his trade with an affiliate minor league team, the Bakersfield Condos.
During training there, the lawsuit claims, Bailey was forced to "endure a barrage of anti-Semitic, offensive and degrading verbal attacks regarding his Jewish faith". When he complained, two of the coaches, Marty Raymond and Mark Pederson, were temporarily suspended.
Bailey, a forward who had failed to score for Bakersfield in 35 games, was then sold to another club. He is currently plying his trade at a minor league team in Canada, where he has also yet to score in 17 games.
"Based on his religion, he was blackballed," Bailey's lawyer, Keith Fink, claimed yesterday. "They wouldn't skate him. They wouldn't play him." He added that Mr Raymond and Mr Pederson had later written letters of apology, saying that the comments had been intended to create "a jovial moment". "These are virulent anti-Semitic comments. These aren't jokes," said Mr Fink.
He is seeking undisclosed damage. The Ducks declined to comment. The row may highlight the dearth of Jewish athletes at the top level of US sport. Only five of the NHL's 660 players are Jewish. In basketball, the NBA has three Jewish players out of a total of roughly 350.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments