UK Athletics and former sports boss plead not guilty to manslaughter over death of athlete Abdullah Hayayei
UK Athletics and a former World Para Athletics boss have pleaded not guilty to manslaughter over the death of a Paralympian in London eight years ago.
A metal pole fell and hit Abdullah Hayayei on the head while he was training at Newham Leisure Centre, east of the capital, on 11 July 2017. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The United Arab Emirates Paralympian, 36, was training for the F34 class discus, javelin, and shot put at the World Para Athletics Championships in London when the pole, part of a throwing cage, fell on him.
Appearing at the Old Bailey on Tuesday, Keith Davies, who was head of sport for the championships at the time, pleaded not guilty to gross negligence manslaughter and a health and safety offence.
UK Athletics Limited, the national governing body for athletics, entered the same plea for the same charges through their barrister, Simon Antrobus KC.
The Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges against both parties in January.
An eight-week trial is due to begin on 12 October 2026 at the Old Bailey, the court was told on Tuesday, with a case management hearing due on 12 December this year.
Mr Davies, 77, of Leytonstone, east London, was released on unconditional bail.
Mr Hayayei made his Paralympic debut at the Rio de Janeiro games in 2016 and was set to feature in his second World Championships in 2017 before he died.
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