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An employment tribunal in London ruled that employers can legally reject job applicants who support rival football teams to preserve office harmony, as illustrated by a hypothetical case of rejecting a Tottenham Hotspur fan in an Arsenal-dominated workplace.
The ruling arose from Maia Kalina’s case, who claimed discrimination after being rejected by Digitas LBI for not vibing with her interviewer, alleging bias against her reserved demeanor and non-British habits like avoiding pubs.
The judge dismissed her claims, stating employers can prioritize team fit if assessed cautiously, without breaching employment law.
The decision emphasized that rejecting a candidate for supporting a rival team, while extreme, is lawful if it protects workplace cohesion.
Kalina’s argument about British stereotypes—outgoing, pub-going, swearing—was rejected, as the judge noted no such uniform stereotype exists, citing varied British behaviors.
The ruling clarifies employers’ rights to consider cultural fit, provided it’s not discriminatory, but warns against decisions that might limit diversity or business growth.
This case highlights the balance between workplace harmony and fair hiring practices.