A disabled man from Massachusetts has filed a lawsuit claiming he was denied entry to a FIFA Club World Cup match at Gillette Stadium due to issues related to his service dog’s paperwork. The plaintiff, King Pompilus, states in the lawsuit that he faced questioning about his disability-related documentation. He says he was informed that he could not enter without paperwork, which led to him being held back from entering the stadium while other patrons entered without problems.
Pompilus eventually gained entry to the game, but alleges he was “humiliated,” causing him anxiety and emotional distress. He argues in the legal filing, reviewed by Newsweek, that this constitutes a violation of his rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Massachusetts anti-discrimination laws. Newsweek has reached out to the plaintiff, FIFA, and the Boston 26 Host Committee for comments.
The lawsuit arrives amid growing criticism of FIFA from disabled fans.
Last year, when accessible tickets were made available for sale, FIFA faced criticism for charging for companion seats. Critics argue this effectively results in disabled fans paying twice. The price of accessible parking has also been a concern for disabled fans.
A report by The Guardian revealed instances where wheelchair users who secured match tickets couldn’t buy a ticket for a caregiver. Additionally, wheelchair and accessible seating were priced higher than general admission tickets on FIFA’s resale marketplace for several matches.
A widely viewed post from Football Supporters Europe on social media compiled experiences of disabled fans, claiming that FIFA “ignores fans with disabilities who want to support their team.” Jon Attenborough, a Scotland supporter and member of the FSE Disability & Inclusion Fan Network, stated, “It’s absolutely disgraceful,” citing FIFA’s absence of consultation with disabled fans and their groups.
Details of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit details that the plaintiff attended the Haiti-Scotland match on June 13 at the Foxborough stadium with his two children and his trained service dog. A security employee allegedly stopped Pompilus at the entrance, demanding paperwork to verify the dog’s status as a service animal, despite federal laws usually prohibiting businesses from needing such documentation.
Pompilus was reportedly barred from entry for roughly 15 minutes while other fans passed through security. After a supervisor intervened, he was allowed to enter without providing the documentation. The lawsuit claims the defendants failed to train security staff on laws related to service animals and disability accommodations, resulting in an improper demand for documentation.
The plaintiff argues that accessibility procedures were not consistently applied during the tournament, conflicting with the organizers’ commitments to accessibility and inclusion.
Legal Demands and Next Steps
Besides seeking compensatory damages, the plaintiff requests:
- A court declaration that their rights were violated under federal and state disability laws.
- An injunction to prevent defendants from requesting service-animal documentation for entry.
- ADA-compliance training for all security personnel, gate staff, and supervisors.
- Formal policies regarding service animals.
- Preservation of records related to service-animal incidents, training, and complaints.
- Reimbursement of attorneys’ fees and legal costs if the law allows.
The lawsuit calls for a jury trial. Defendants have yet to respond to the claims.