Former Newcastle United player Jonas Gutierrez has claimed that the club considered him to be a "liability" after he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
The 32-year-old underwent an operation to remove a tumour in October 2013 and was told by then-manager Alan Pardew in December of that year that he was no longer involved in the club's plans.
The Argentine eventually left the club in 2015, but believes that he was purposefully prevented from making the 80 starts between 2011 and 2015 that would have seen him awarded an automatic 12-month extension - he instead made 78 starts and five substitute appearances.
"[The December 2013 meeting] was the first time I - or any of my representatives - had been notified of this and it came as a great shock, so soon after my cancer treatment. I was very shocked by the club's sudden change of heart about me, particularly as I had played in 194 games for the club at this point and was one of the key first-team players," Gutierrez said in a statement to an employment tribunal hearing.
"I believe that the reason for this was due to my cancer diagnosis and very recent operation to remove the tumour. I think they feared my illness would mean that I could no longer play at the highest level and they considered me to be a liability rather than an asset to the club.
"I got the impression that they thought I couldn't be the same player again after such an illness or that I would be bound to have lingering effects, other episodes of illness off the back of it. This caused me a lot of distress, given my hard work and commitment for the club in the preceding five-and-a-half years.
"It is notable that during my chemotherapy treatment, neither the manager, Alan Pardew, or any club directors contacted me to see how I was feeling or to congratulate me on my recovery. Shortly after my return to the club from chemotherapy, I was called into Mr Pardew's office.
"Mr Pardew apologised for the way he had treated me in December 2013, when he told me I was not wanted by the club any longer but he said that this was not his decision. I understood by this that the decision was actually that of the club's owner, Mike Ashley."
Gutierrez, who now plays for Deportivo La Coruna in Spain, is claiming for disability discrimination.
Barney Corkhill
