FAI react to Cork City statement

The row between the Football Association of Ireland and Cork City looks set to rumble on after City chairman Tom Coughlan claimed to have obtained an Order from the High Court for leave to judicially review the FAI’s Disciplinary Committee hearing of 17 December 2009.

The FAI appear to have been caught off guard by the legal manoeuvre and in a strongly worded reply, the association admit to being ‘surprised’ by the move.

In a statement issued by Cork City earlier today, the club claimed that: ‘Cork City have obtained an Order from the High Court for leave to judicially review the FAI’s Disciplinary Committee hearing of 17 December 2009.’

The statement continued: ‘The order relates to the Committee’s refusal of Mr Coughlan’s request for an adjournment, the Committee’s decision to hold the hearing in Mr Coughlan’s absence and the Committee’s finding that Mr Coughlan had brought the game of football into disrepute and the sanction imposed on him.

‘As a result of this, certain issues may not be capable of being finalised while the proceedings are pending.’

The FAI immediately responded to the Cork club’s actions by stating: 'The Football Association of Ireland confirmed its surprise at the Cork City FC statement that Mr Tom Coughlan was granted leave to apply for judicial review, given that Mr Coughlan has to date failed to exhaust all internal appeal procedures open to him.

'The FAI is not on notice of any court application and if any order was made, it would been given on an ex parte basis, meaning that it would have been granted on Mr Coughlan’s word only.'

Today's events coincide with the FAI’s deadline for the submission of key documents pertaining to the issuing of club licences for the 2010 season.

The 21 December financial submissions deadline requires that clubs submit the final salary cost protocol declaration, and it also represents the final deadline by which all overdue payables towards employees and revenue/social/tax authorities must be paid or an agreement with the creditor reached.