Allegations of Discrimination
A disabled man from Massachusetts, King Pompilus, has filed a lawsuit claiming he was unfairly denied entry to a FIFA Club World Cup match at Gillette Stadium due to a lack of service dog paperwork. Pompilus, attending the match with his service dog, alleges he was singled out, questioned about disability-related documentation, and initially barred from entering while other attendees faced no such issue. Although he was eventually allowed in, he contends the ordeal caused him humiliation, anxiety, and emotional distress. The lawsuit argues this treatment violates the Americans with Disabilities Act and Massachusetts anti-discrimination laws.
Previous Criticism of FIFA
FIFA has faced criticism from disabled fans regarding its accessibility policies. When tickets for accessible seating went on sale last year, concerns were raised about charges for companion seats, effectively doubling costs for disabled fans. Additional worries have been voiced over the pricing of accessible parking. A report from The Guardian highlighted issues for wheelchair users, who struggled to purchase tickets for caregivers and discovered that wheelchair seating was priced higher than general admission on FIFA’s resale marketplace. A social media post from Football Supporters Europe, viewed over 50,000 times, accuses FIFA of neglecting disabled fans eager to support their teams.
Details of the Complaint
According to the lawsuit, Pompilus attended the Haiti-Scotland match on June 13 with his children and service dog at Foxborough stadium. He alleges a security guard demanded proof of the dog’s service status, violating federal law that typically prohibits such demands by businesses. Pompilus was delayed for roughly 15 minutes while other attendees cleared security. After a supervisor intervened, he was admitted without documentation. The suit claims defendants inadequately trained staff on laws concerning service animals and disability accommodations, forcing the documentation request.
Legal Requests and Proceedings
Pompilus seeks compensatory damages and a court declaration of violated federal and state disability laws. The lawsuit also requests an injunction to prevent future demands for service-animal documentation, ADA-compliance training for staff, and written policies on service animals. Preservation of related records and recovery of attorneys’ fees and costs are being pursued, with a trial by jury demanded. Defendants have not yet responded to these allegations.