Rico Quitongo (born 15 July 1999) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Caledonian Braves. He has previously played in the Scottish Professional Football League for Dumbarton, Airdrieonians, Peterhead, Queen of the South, Clyde and Annan Athletic. In 2024, the Employment Appeal Tribunal ruled that Airdrieonians had victimised Quitongo contrary to the Equality Act 2010 following his complaint concerning the club's handling of an allegation of racist abuse.
Early life Quitongo was born on 15 July 1999 in Wishaw, Scotland. The son of Angolan footballer José Quitongo and the younger brother of Scottish footballer Jai Quitongo, he attended Braidhurst High School in Scotland with his brother.
Career Quitongo came through the youth system at Hamilton Academical. During 2017 he spent a period on loan with Bo'ness United. He moved from Hamilton to Hearts in January 2018 and played for the club's development side.
Quitongo joined Dumbarton in 2019. He was named the club's Young Player of the Year at the end of his first season. After two seasons with Dumbarton, he joined Airdrieonians in 2021.
In January 2022, Quitongo left Airdrieonians and joined Peterhead until the end of the season. He made his debut as a substitute in a 1–1 draw with East Fife on 29 January. He joined Queen of the South later in 2022.
On 28 February 2023, Quitongo joined Clyde on loan from Queen of the South until the end of the season. He fractured his fibula during the second leg of Clyde's play-off final against Annan Athletic in May and underwent surgery.
After recovering from the injury, Quitongo joined Annan Athletic following a trial on 4 January 2024, signing until the end of the season. He signed a one-year extension in June 2024. Annan announced his departure in May 2025.
Quitongo subsequently appeared for Clyde as a trialist in September and November 2025. By August 2026, he was playing for Caledonian Braves in the Lowland League West.
Employment tribunal case In September 2021, while playing for Airdrieonians against Queen's Park at Firhill, Quitongo learned of an allegation that an Airdrieonians supporter had directed racist abuse towards him during the match. He reported the allegation to the club, which investigated it but subsequently said there was insufficient evidence to take further action.
Quitongo later brought claims against Airdrieonians and club director Paul Hetherington under the Equality Act 2010, alleging harassment and victimisation in relation to the club's handling of the matter. His case was supported by PFA Scotland and the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The employment tribunal dismissed his claims in November 2022.
Quitongo appealed. In December 2024, the Employment Appeal Tribunal held that the original tribunal had erred in law in dismissing one of his victimisation claims. Lord Fairley substituted a finding that Airdrieonians had victimised Quitongo, contrary to section 27 of the Equality Act 2010, by refusing to communicate with his agent after 16 October 2021. The question of remedy was remitted to the employment tribunal. The appeal tribunal also remitted one harassment issue for further findings, while rejecting four other harassment grounds of appeal.
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