Floriana to seek compensation over Collins

Maltese side Floriana are set to add to the financial demands on Cork City FC as they intend to seek compensation from the League of Ireland club over their appointment of Roddy Collins as their manager yesterday.

Floriana dispute claims made by Cork general manager Liam Meaney that the 48-year-old Dubliner is a free agent and that they have not released him from the club he joined in the summer.

Floriana's acting president, Joe Cauchi, said in a statement: “It was with great surprise that Floriana FC learned that our coach Roddy Collins has signed a 12-month contract with Cork City in 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 given Mr Collins permission to speak with any other club and furthermore have not released him from his contract. Floriana have fulfilled in excess all contractual obligations to Mr Collins since his arrival in Malta.

“We will be contacting Cork City owner Tom Coughlan to try and come to an arrangement over compensation not to take this matter further than an amicable settlement.

“We do not wish to bring the Malta FA (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.”

Reports in the Maltese media say Collins is also considering his legal options in relation to his time with Floriana.

Known as the Greens, Floriana had made a steady start to their Premier League campaign under the former Bohemians boss, but soon after Collins left last week they collapsed to a 6-2 defeat at home to Qormi, leaving them in fifth position in the table

Former Floriana player Zoran Popovic is expected to be named as a replacement for Collins.