My conscience clear over Marlet transfer scandal, says Tigana

JEAN TIGANA yesterday declared his conscience was clear over the Steve Marlet transfer scandal.

But Tigana, whose three-year contract expires in July, wants a commitment from Harrods supremo Al Fayed to "work and help" to persuade the Frenchman to take up his 24-month extension option.

The French legend, whose team are homeless and groundsharing with Second Division QPR, saw his summer transfer kitty slashed from in excess of £30 million in 2001 to just £2 million this year. The controversies surrounding Marlet's transfer and Tigana's future have completely overshadowed tomorrow's UEFA Cup third-round, second-leg clash with Hertha Berlin at Loftus Road.

Fulham are attempting to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first match in Germany a fortnight ago.

In the Marlet row, the club are heading for a courtroom battle with the 28-year-old France striker's agents over their commission fee, reported to be £2 million.

Marlet's representative Pascal Boisseau, who along with his brother Sebastien arranged Marlet's move, said yesterday he plans to contact the FA's transfer watchdogs in the Compliance Unit to show "nothing illegal happened." Cottagers boss Tigana vowed to protect his "honour," saying: "I don't know exactly what's inside this story or if it's a problem with the agent or the club. I read the newspapers and I was very, very disappointed and very sad to see my face. This story started a long time ago so I don't know why it's just come out now.

"I'm a right man and don't like these allegations against me. I have a big, very strict reputation in France and can speak to clubs like Bordeaux, Monaco and Lyon.

"I'll keep fighting because my honour is very important for me. But my club's behind me and I'm relaxed, I can sleep fine and it's not a problem for me. I'm open and everybody knows that. I've never once had discussions alone with an agent to finalise an issue. I always discuss transfers with representatives of a club.

"Now I'll keep my head thinking about football as finding a solution is a problem for the chairman and the club." Fulham said on Sunday there was "not a shred of evidence to suggest Tigana has behaved improperly" and Chester Stern, the club's controller of affairs, added yesterday: "We will begin legal proceedings against the agents."

But Barcelona-based Boisseau, whose brother Sebastien works for the BMB Conseils agency registered in Dugny, France, claimed they were in fact behind the legal action.

"We have been paid one part of our fee and not the other, so we're taking the club to court," said Boisseau.

"We're also going to go to the FA to discuss the Marlet transfer and explain what happened."

Marlet will return to the Fulham front line tonight. He is serving a three-match domestic ban but is available in Europe.