Women are being “blanked” by a Dundee domino league which is refusing to let female members join its teams.
The men only policy is being enforced by the Dundee Licensed Trade Domino League.
Kirkton grandmother Alison Agnew is threatening legal action after officials would not allow her and two female friends to enter the league.
They hoped to join the Frew’s Bar team but requests have so far been met with a resounding no.
The league committee rejected female membership at the league’s annual meeting, despite there being no stipulation that only men can play in the official league rules.
Alison (44) has sent a solicitor’s letter to the league to say she believes she is being “discriminated against on grounds of her sex”.
She said: “There are in fact three females who wish to sign for Frew’s Bar team, and even after a solicitor’s letter concerning sex discrimination in this case the members for the committee of this league are still refusing to allow any females to sign and play.
“There is no rule stating that it is for men only.”
“The publican of Frew’s Bar is more than happy to sign us up to play in the team, as are the rest of the team members, and I suspect many other publicans/players would also be only too happy to welcome some new player and custom into their establishments.
“But due to some narrow-minded old fossils on the committee this is not to be so.”
Mrs Agnew said she wanted to bring the discrimination to the attention of the Dundee public.
She added: “It’s not a physical sport or hobby, therefore why can’t we be allowed to play? We would not be doing any harm to the game or bringing it into disrepute, or is it just because the members of the league are too afraid to play against females?”
“In this day and age, I have always believed in equal opportunities.”
Jim Kidd, landlord at Frew’s bar, said: “Alison approached me to say that she and other women wanted to play for the team.
“I said that it had been brought up before a few years ago and turned down but I would bring it up at the AGM. Before I had a chance, it was brought up by someone else but it was voted out by the committee.Legal issue”It is a legal issue between Alison and them now but if the league do change the rules, Alison would be signed up the day after, and I am sure a lot of other teams would do the same.”
An official from the Dundee Licensed Trade Domino League confirmed women were not allowed to join but said they would be making no comment on the men-only policy and the reasons behind it.
A spokeswoman from the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Scotland said the league should examine their practices.
“It would seem that in this instance the exclusion of a female domino player from a local pub team could well be discriminatory,” she said.
“We would strongly suggest that organisations like the Dundee Licensed Trade Domino League examine their practices and review their position to ensure that they are complying fully with equality laws.
“The excluded player may want to contact the commission’s helpline on 0845 6045510 for further information and help.”