Cork could face another financial row

Cork City could become embroiled in another financial battle just hours after naming Roddy Collins as their new manager.

Collins’ old club Floriana of Malta say they have not released the Dubliner from his contract and expect to be compensated by Cork.

Collins left the Maltese side earlier this month due to personal reasons but in a written statement Floriana say the ex Shamrock Rovers boss is not a free agent and are surprised by Cork's claims to the contrary.

The Floriana statement read: ‘It was with great surprise that Floriana FC learned this afternoon that our coach Mr Roddy Collins signed a 12-month contract with Cork City FC, Ireland, and that the Cork City FC General Manager publicly claimed in error that Mr Collins ‘is a free agent’.

‘At no time have Floriana FC given Mr Collins permission to speak with any other club and furthermore have not released him from his contract. Floriana FC have fulfilled in excess all contractual obligations to Mr Collins since his arrival in Malta.

‘Until last evening, Mr Collins was asking for us to release him from his contract, however, he fully understood that to do so meant some form of compensation had to be made from Cork City FC.

‘We will be contacting Cork City FC owner Mr Tom Coughlan to come to an arrangement where we will receive compensation to not bring this matter further than an amicable settlement.

‘We do not wish to bring the Maltese Football Association (MFA) or Football Association of Ireland (FAI) into this matter as we believe that a professional club of Cork City's stature will wish to do the right thing for their reputation and image, the good of the game and for the betterment of both clubs.’

Collins was earlier today unveiled as the new boss of the troubled leesiders on a twelve-month contract.