Football director ousted ‘because he was too old’

A Premier League football club “bullied” out a veteran director due to his age after an American takeover, an employment tribunal has heard.

Steve Penny, 62, left his £100,000-a-year job with Swansea City following the US buy-out last year. He claims that after the takeover, he became the victim of “bullying, intimidation and age discrimination”.

Mr Penny said he was “threatened” by the club’s legal adviser, Chris Farnell, after he refused to resign. Mr Penny claimed he was told: “If we have to, we will get rid of you anyway.”

US businessmen Steve Kaplan and Jason Levien bought 68 per cent of Swansea City’s shares to complete a takeover of the club in July 2016.

The hearing in Cardiff continues.