Abdullah Hayayei, 36, died in Newham Leisure Centre on July 11, 2017
UK Athletics has pleaded guilty to corporate manslaughter following an Emirati para-athlete in East London. Abdullah Hayayei, 36, was in the capital training for the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships at Newham Leisure Centre in Prince Regent Lane on July 11 that year.
Mr Hayayei was seriously injured after the throwing cage he was training in collapsed. Police and paramedics were called to the scene where he died shortly afterwards. Nine years on from the incident, the national governing body for athletics admitted corporate manslaughter whist appearing at the Old Bailey on Friday, February 20.
The organisation’s former head of sport, Keith Davies, 78, of Bushwood, Leytonstone, pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 7 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. A police and Newham Council investigation launched after the death of Mr Hayayei found the throwing cage had not been erected properly, making it unstable.
UK Athletics managed the international athletics and para-athletics events in London in 2017. In November 2017, Davies was interviewed under caution in connection with the investigation.
Both he and UK Athletics were then charged in January 2025, and later pleaded not guilty at an earlier hearing in March 2025. Sentencing will take place on a date to be fixed at the Old Bailey.
Detective Sergeant Brett Hagen, who led the Met’s investigation, said: “Our thoughts are with Mr Hayayei’s family during what will be a significant moment for them. We thank them for their ongoing patience, understanding and dignity throughout this lengthy and complex investigation.
“The resulting charges and early guilty plea reflect our perseverance and dedication, and the significant work undertaken to build a comprehensive and compelling case against the defendants. Cases of this nature are rare and particularly difficult to prosecute due to various complexities surrounding the legislation, so we welcome this outcome.”
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