LONDON: The controversial management of Newcastle United was subjected to disgraced when an employment tribunal ruled that midfielder Jonas Gutierrez had been dropped because of a cancer diagnosis.

The 32-year-old had sued the relegation-threatened Premier League club Magpies for in the region of £2m on the grounds of disability discrimination.

The tribunal also ruled the club made it impossible for Gutierrez to trigger a further deal through appearances.

Claims of unfavourable treatment and another of harassment related to disability were dismissed.

A further remedy hearing will be held in due course, in which compensation will be addressed.

The Argentina international, 32, was released by the Magpies in 2014 after seven years on Tyneside. He returned to action in March last year after 18 months of treatment and recovery.

The player helped Newcastle to avoid relegation from the Premier League with a goal in a 2-0 win over West Ham on the final day of the 2013-14 season, one of only 10 appearances he made for the club following his initial diagnosis in 2013.

He was released shortly afterwards.

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