Former Gillingham striker Mark McCammon is suing the club for racial discrimination and unfair dismissal in a ground breaking case.

The 33 year old, now at Lincoln City has alleged that he and other black players were treated differently in his three year spell with Gillingham.

The Telegraph said the case was believed to be the first race discrimination claim brought by a professional footballer.

Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association told the Telegraph: “This is a very unusual case. We had hoped to settle the matter within football, as is the norm but that hasn’t happened on this occasion so the tribunal will have to resolve it on matters of fact.”

A Gillingham spokesman issued the following statement: “The allegations made by Mark McCammon are wholly refuted by the club.

“It would not be appropriate for the club to comment further until the employment tribunal hearing has taken place.”

McCammon, a Barbados international forward, signed a three-year contract with League Two club Gillingham in 2008 and it was announced by Gillingham that he had been released in May 2011.

McCammon is bringing the claim for race discrimination and unfair dismissal against his former club and its chairman, Paul Scally.

It is understood he will claim that he and other black players were treated less favourably than white players in terms of punishments handed out for missing training, medical treatments and pay cuts following the club’s relegation.

The case is expcted to go before an employment tribunal at Ashford in the summer.