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05/08/2011 - Should We Allow Prejudice and Discrimination to be a Part of  Spanish Sports Clubs? - John Smith

On July 14^th a South Alicante bowls club committee reviewed 31 applicants who had applied to join their club for the 2011/2012 season and they accepted all applicants except for one.   The bowls committee offered no reason for the exclusion of this one person.  The person concerned was an ex-international bowler who has won numerous open tournaments on the Costa Blanca and is also Spanish National winner.  There cannot be any doubt that this person has suffered prejudice and discrimination and it still amazes me that bowls committees still do not take cognizance of the legislation that applies to Spanish sports clubs.  The person concerned if he had the funds and time would without hesitation denounce the President of the club and take legal proceedings against him and his club.

Article 14 – Spanish Constitution 1978 - Prohibition of Discrimination

Spaniards (Aliens) are equal before the law, except article 23 which only applies to Spaniards, and may not in any way be discriminated against on account of birth, race, sex, religion, opinion or any other personal or social condition or circumstance.

Article 14 – Human Rights Act 1998 - Prohibition of Discrimination

In the application of the Convention rights, a person has the right not to be treated differently because of your race, religion, sex, political views or any other status, unless they can be justified objectively.  EVERYONE must have equal access to Convention rights, whatever their status.

If a Spanish bowls club refuses admission to an applicant without giving a reason are they in breach of the above article in the Human Rights Act 1998?  Surely everyone should be admitted to a Spanish Lawn Bowls Club and be judged on how they conduct themselves at their “new” club. The easiest system of entry into a new club is to give the person a 6 or 12 month probationary period on the understanding that they could be asked to leave the club should their conduct be unacceptable.

I would be interested to read Tony Winterton’s views on this subject or indeed club committees who apply prejudice and discrimination when considering applicants who wish to join their club.