UK Athletics: No Manslaughter in Hayayei Death
UK Athletics and its former head of sport have denied manslaughter charges related to the tragic death of Paralympian Abdullah hayayei. The legal proceedings, stemming from a 2017 training incident involving a shot-put cage, are now unfolding at the Old Bailey. Discover the latest developments in this high-profile case, where UKA faces serious accusations, including the failure to ensure the safety of non-employees.The prosecution alleges that unsafe athletics equipment, specifically shot put and discus cages without base structures, were commonplace. Keith Davies, the former head of sport, also faces charges, denying any breach of duty of care. News Directory 3 keeps you informed with the latest insights into this ongoing legal battle. Examine the timeline, understand the key players, and follow the key accusations that have emerged during the pre-trial hearing. Discover what’s next as the case moves forward.
UKA denies Manslaughter Charge in Paralympian Death
Updated May 29, 2025
UK Athletics (UKA) and Keith Davies, its former head of sport, have pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges related to the death of Paralympian Abdullah Hayayei.Hayayei, 36, died July 11, 2017, after a metal cage collapsed on him during training at Newham Leisure Center in east London. He was preparing for the world Para Athletics Championships at the time.
During a pre-trial hearing at the Old Bailey, UKA also denied a charge of failing to ensure the safety of non-employees.Davies, 77, also from east London, denied failing to take reasonable care for health and safety. The charges allege that the shot put cage Hayayei was using was set up without its “base structure.”
Hayayei represented the United Arab Emirates at the Rio 2016 Paralympics. He was scheduled to compete in the F34 shot put, discus, and javelin events at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in London. The corporate manslaughter charge asserts that senior management’s conduct at UKA “fell far below what could reasonably be expected.”
Prosecutors allege that UKA routinely supplied shot put and discus cages without their base structures at events between 2012 and 2017. They further claim that between October 2012 and July 2017, UKA failed to provide “safe athletics equipment” for international athletics and para-athletics events, including both competition and training sessions. Davies is accused of a “gross breach of duty of care” for allegedly providing a cage without its base structure in his role as head of sport for the 2017 World Para-Athletics Championships. He also faces a health and safety at work offense related to supervising the provision of discus and shot put cages from October 2012 to July 2017.
Simon Antrobus KC entered the pleas on behalf of UKA. Davies was granted unconditional bail. The next hearing is scheduled for Dec. 12, 2025, at the Old Bailey. The trial is set to begin Oct. 12, 2026, also at the Old Bailey, and is expected to last eight weeks. Judge Mark Lucraft KC, the recorder of London, will preside over the case.
what’s next
The legal proceedings will continue with a hearing in December 2025, followed by a trial in October 2026, to determine the liability of UK Athletics and Keith Davies in the death of Abdullah Hayayei. The case highlights the critical importance of safety measures in sports training and competition,especially concerning athletics equipment.