Emergency injunction filed ahead of Alberta Soccer Association member vote on suspended president

The Alberta Soccer Association’s attempt to suspend its president following a workplace harassment investigation has moved into a courtroom.

Last month, ASA president JR Figueiredo was removed as president and suspended from the board for five years after he was found to have engaged in workplace harassment and inappropriate conduct. 

On Tuesday morning, lawyers for four Alberta soccer organizations will appear in court in an attempt to have a judge postpone a special meeting during which members were set to vote to accept or reject the sanctions against Figueiredo.

The meeting is set to take place at 7 p.m. Tuesday night. 

The four member organizations allege in court documents filed as part of the emergency injunction that the ASA did not follow the proper disciplinary process set out in its own bylaws when it removed Figueiredo.

The organizations — Edmonton Minor Soccer Association, Calgary Women’s Soccer Association, Battle River Soccer Association and St. Albert Soccer Association — are asking a judge to overturn Figueiredo’s suspension until the ASA runs a disciplinary hearing in accordance with its bylaws. 

Over the summer, a workplace harassment complaint was filed against Figueiredo by a woman who works for the association in a senior leadership position. 

Based on the recommendations of an HR consultant and legal counsel, both of whom were brought in by Figueiredo to advise the board, HR firm Veritas Solutions was hired to conduct an independent investigation.

In November, Veritas found that Figueiredo engaged in conduct that “went far beyond what is acceptable in the workplace,” according to a summary of the investigator’s findings contained in a letter sent by the board to ASA members in November. 

The investigator went on to say that Figueiredo was found to have "wielded his authority and power in an aggressive and abusive manner” and that he had used his power or authority "in an attempt to coerce another person to engage in inappropriate activities.”

According to the findings, Figueiredo’s behaviour included verbal threats and yelling, vexatious comments about an employee to others, micromanagement, interference with staff operations, creating a hostile work environment and spreading rumours about an employee. 

The investigator also determined that Figueiredo’s behaviour was not limited to the employee who filed the complaint but that consideration into others’ allegations “was beyond the scope of this investigation.”

The investigator recommended Figueiredo’s removal from the board and a suspension of at least three years but the board went further, imposing a five-year suspension. 

The ASA called a special general meeting for those sanctions to be voted on by members.