At first, a Chelsea executive didn’t take a female agent’s complaint about inappropriate messages seriously.
At first, a Chelsea executive didn’t take a female agent’s complaint about inappropriate messages seriously. Tom Glick, president of business at Chelsea, informed a female agent that her complaint about a senior executive. He had hired their days before; sending her a barrage of improper messages did not interest him and had nothing to do with his job.
Glick’s first reaction to Catalina Kim came after she forwarded him sexually explicit communications from Damian Willoughby, the commercial director at Chelsea, until this week when he was fired.
Two days after Glick downplayed Kim’s allegations over the phone, on September 20, Willoughby was let go. Glick claimed that he no longer cared about the matter.
Statements
The lawyers for Glick told the Guardian that their client had not thoroughly read the screenshots before their phone chat. During their conversation, he mentioned to Kim that he had just checked “the headlines.” After Kim pressed him, he promised to investigate the concerns stated before they parted ways.
Before learning that Willoughby was joining Chelsea in a senior role on August 29, Kim had been in talks with Chelsea and Glick on behalf of overseas investors intending to pump money into Chelsea’s academy, men’s squad, women’s team, and foundation.
Glick, who had previously worked with Willoughby at Manchester City, arranged a meeting between the three at Stamford Bridge on September 1.
Following this encounter, Kim informed Glick that she felt “uncomfortable” working with Willoughby, and on September 3 she provided Glick eight screenshots of texts she had received from Willoughby. Willoughby began his new job as Chelsea’s head of sponsorship two days later.
Declarations
Kim finally got a hold of Glick on September 18 after persistently trying to get in touch with him. As the first hire made by Chelsea’s new leadership led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, Glick initially commented, “I noticed some of the headlines of the things that you brought, and I simply brushed it aside.” So, it’s not something I’m especially interested in.
Kim prodded Glick and he responded, “It looks to me like something that is just not fascinating or important to me in terms of operating the firm.” Yet, what do you think? Please fill me in on the details.
Kim’s conversations to Glick revealed that Willoughby had brought up sexual activity and inquired as to whether Kim was undressed. If she was willing to be “naughty,” Willoughby said he could set up a meeting between the two of them and top executive of Manchester City, Ferran Soriano.
Kim rejected each of Chelsea’s overtures, and negotiations over Chelsea’s investment plans have halted due to Kim’s misgivings.
Kim was very aback by this remark and asked Glick whether she could not form a collaboration with Chelsea if she could not cooperate with Willoughby. In response, Glick emphatically denied that this was what he was saying, prompting Kim to wonder how her complaint related to her dealings with Chelsea.
Remarks
When Kim inquired whether Glick considered her complaint to be directly related to his work, Glick stated he had already forgotten about it. He continued, “I guess I’m going to have to deal with it,” because she had brought it up again. Glick said, “I’ll have to go back and look at what you sent. I didn’t even bother to read the main points.
Glick stated he had been busy and unwell with Covid when Kim said she had followed up with him multiple times.
When Willoughby was vice president and head of partnership sales at City Football Group (CFG), which includes Manchester City among its member clubs, he was introduced to Kim in 2015. In July of 2021, Willoughby left City to take a position as vice president at Electronic Arts.
Kim asked Glick whether he worried Willoughby may have harassed or otherwise mistreated other female employees of CFG who lacked Kim’s status. Glick responded that he hadn’t yet looked at Kim’s screenshots and would need to. He cut ties with Willoughby, who Kim claimed had assured him their friendship was unbreakable because of Glick.
Allow me to return to reviewing the materials you supplied me,” Glick responded. That’s exactly what I’m going to do. The answer is, “I haven’t done it yet.”
Facts
On September 19th, Glick contacted Kim and informed her that Chelsea was looking into Willoughby’s texts. On September 20th, a note was sent out to the club’s employees, letting them know that Willoughby had been let go. Glick then sent an email to Kim expressing his appreciation for her bringing up the issue.
Before joining Chelsea, Glick served as president of the NFL team, the Carolina Panthers. From 2016 until 2018, he served in that role at CFG, and from 2012 to 2015, he held the same position at City. He is responsible for generating new revenue for Chelsea and launching the organization’s strategy to expand into further clubs.
The club’s new ownership has instituted a new corporate culture and work environment. Willoughby’s actions are “completely antithetical to that,” according to a statement released by Chelsea after his dismissal.
According to a statement released by Chelsea on Friday, “after the severity of the claims that Catalina Kim presented to Tom Glick were clear regarding the behavior of a recruit when in previous employment, the subject was quickly escalated for review.” After conducting an exhaustive investigation, the club promptly fired the suspect.
Mr. Glick now realizes he was too hasty in dismissing the charges. Mr. Glick spoke with Ms. Kim, examined the entire body of evidence, and ultimately decided to terminate the employee’s job.
The club is dedicated to treating all of its stakeholders with the utmost consideration and respect, and it will not allow any actions that fall short of these standards.
The club has extended an offer of protection to Ms. Kim, and they stand by it. We have a dedicated whistleblower line, a safety team, and other channels for reporting concerns that are taken seriously.
Read More: Ramires, Another Ex-Chelsea Hero, Retires From Football