CHEERLEADER Bailey Davis has filed a gender discrimination complaint against the New Orleans Saints after being fired for posting a saucy Instagram snap.
The 22-year-old uploaded a picture of herself in a one-piece outfit back in January, which led to her being sacked by the NFL club.
: @bryceellphoto #dance
^^going to be a good day for everyone but Carolina! #saints #9-3 
According to the New York Times, Davis has since lodged a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, claiming the Saints have a different set of rules for the players and female dancers.
An investigation by the newspaper showed that the 2009 Super Bowl champions have an “anti-fraternization policy” in place, which requires cheerleaders to avoid contact with members of the squad.
While they must also block the players from following them on social media, fail to dine in the same restaurant as a player and are not allowed to post photos of themselves in the team’s colours.
Davis was also caught up in rumours that she was at a party where a player was also present, a claim she strenuously denied.
#babyblue #newwhip
And when Ashley Deaton – senior director of the Saintsations – caught wind of Davis’ swimsuit pic, she sent the dancer a stern text message.
She is alleged to have said: “Very poor judgement to post a picture like that especially considering our recent conversations about the rumors (sic) going around about u. This does not help your case. I’d expect you to know better.”
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Davis was sacked just four days later.
The American spent three years with the Saints, and believes her complaint could help other cheerleaders gain equal rights.
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She told the Times: “I’m doing this for them so they can do what they love and feel protected and empowered, and be a female athlete and not be pushed to the side and feeling unimportant.”
Davis’ lawyer Sara Blackwell said: “If the cheerleaders can’t contact the players, then the players shouldn’t be able to contact the cheerleaders.
“The antiquated stereotype of women needing to hide for their own protection is not permitted in America and certainly not in the workplace.”
The NFL declined to comment about Davis’ claims, but a lawyer representing the Saints emailed the Times issuing a statement.
Leslie A. Lanusse said: “The Saints organization strives to treat all employees fairly, including Ms. Davis. At the appropriate time and in the appropriate forum, the Saints will defend the organization’s policies and workplace rules.
“For now, it is sufficient to say that Ms. Davis was not subjected to discrimination because of her gender.”
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