Cork chairman Coughlan banned by FAI

Soccer:Cork City chairman Tom Coughlan was asked to consider his position today after the FAI issued a €5,000 fine and a ban from "football-related activity for bringing the game into disrepute".

Coughlan was due before the FAI disciplinary committee in Abbotstown today but according to his solicitors the three-man committee failed to turn up in time and later held the meeting in Coughlan’s absence.

Aside from the €5,000 fine, Coughlan has also been excluded from FAI Council membership, banned from representing the League of Ireland club and excluded from nomination to any FAI committee.

The FAI ban takes “immediate effect and is for a period of 12 months”.

Coughlan, who is still free to run the Turner’s Cross outfit as it’s an independent company, said he will appeal the decision.

“Mr Coughlan is now questioning this decision and has serious reservations about the FAI's attitude to him, based not alone on today's events, but also recent comments made in the national media by Fran Gavin FAI league director and FAI chief executive John Delaney,” read Coughlan's statement, issued through his solicitors.

“Mr Coughlan is extremely disappointed that he did not get his personal hearing, despite the fact that he was present at the correct time for the hearing.”

Fran Gavin, the FAI’s League of Ireland director responded to today’s decision by saying:“The majority of League of Ireland clubs operate as independent companies and their directors are responsible for ensuring that they are run in accordance with Irish company law,”

“The FAI cannot dictate who owns clubs as this would conflict with company law and is purely a matter for the club or limited company. When Mr Coughlan was selected last year by the examiner to bring Cork City FC out of examinership, the move was welcomed.

“While we acknowledge that Mr Coughlan invested money in Cork City FC at that difficult time, his subsequent actions have damaged the credibility of both the club and the League.

“Although Mr Coughlan is presently owner and Director of Cork City FC, we now call on him to consider his position in the interests of the fans and the players, as well as the long term future of the club.”

The FAI’s decision comes in the wake of Cork City’s link with Roddy Collins to become their new manager. Collins is currently manager of Maltese side Floriana, who issued a statement saying they had not given Cork permission to speak with their manager.

It is understood Coughlan is prepared to walk away from Cork City if the right price is met by new investors.