CORK CITY owner Tom Coughlan yesterday obtained leave for a judicially review of the conduct of the FAI disciplinary committee that last week banned him from football-related activity for 12 months. A hearing of his challenge is scheduled for the end of January.
Coughlan had said at the time that he would challenge the decision in whatever way his legal advisers judged to be the most appropriate. The decision to pursue the matter in the High Court, and to cite comments made by John Delaney as one of the reasons for the move, will generate further friction between the Corkman and an FAI leadership that is clearly determined to pressure him into relinquishing control of the Turner’s Cross club.
Sure enough, in a statement last night the association expressed “surprise” that Coughlan “has to date failed to exhaust all internal appeal procedures open to him”.
In a statement issued through City last night, Coughlan said: “It is unfortunate that we have had to pursue this course of action. However, given the prejudicial nature of the CEO’s comments and the subsequent actions of the disciplinary committee, we were left with no option.”
Coughlan said he and everyone else at City will be doing everything possible in the meantime to ensure the club obtains a license for next season. Yesterday was an initial deadline in the licensing process, but under Uefa regulations the association and clubs have until the end of January to resolve issues that arise out of the opening applications.
The financial situation at City is still far from ideal and there is a sense within Abbotstown that Coughlan’s continued ownership and the difficulties associated with it is reflecting poorly on the league as a whole and preventing the club from achieving some greater degree of stability.
Having provided what he says is around €800,000 of funding during his time in charge, however, Coughlan shows no signs of wanting to walk away.
Roddy Collins is set to meet Coughlan this morning in an attempt to resolve whatever outstanding matters remain in relation to his anticipated appointment as Paul Doolin’s successor.
Collins said last night: “I’d be very hopeful that we can sort everything out and that I’ll get the job. I’m up for it big time.”
Collins said there had been some difficulties in communications with his former employers, Floriana, in Malta, but he insisted: “I had a good chat with my solicitors today and I’m happy that I’m completely in the clear.”
There was a growing expectation last night that Joe Gamble would become the latest player to leave City, with the Ireland international linked with Hartlepool.
