Career at Fulham ended in ‘deceit’

FORMER Fulham manager Jean Tigana’s career at the football club ended in “deceit and dishonesty,” the High Court heard yesterday.

The claim came at the beginning of a three-week action in London which will focus on three transfer deals made during Tigana's tenure.

He was replaced by former club captain Chris Coleman in April last year and dismissed two months later.

The club claims that Tigana was in breach of the express obligations of his April 2000 contract, the implied obligations of fidelity, good faith, trust and confidence and the fiduciary duties owed by virtue of being a director.

Counsel David Phillips QC told Mr Justice Elias: "Mr Tigana's career at Fulham began in hope and optimism but ended in deceit and dishonesty.

"We say that he not only acted in a manner contrary to the club's interests but subsequently deliberately concealed what he he had done from Fulham."

The club alleges that goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar was purchased in July 2001 at a gross overvalue of £7 million when the transfer was worth no more than £4.5 million.

It says that striker Steve Marlet was purchased at a gross overvalue of £11.5 million in August 2001 when the transfer was worth no more than £7 million.

It alleges that Tigana failed to advise Fulham that Marlet's salary at Olympique Lyonnais SASP was much lower than he negotiated with Fulham, and that he also failed to advise the club that Marlet had a financial interest in the transfer fee through a profit share with OL.

Mr Phillips said: "my case is that part and parcel of Tigana's contract with Fulham was that as well as identifying players he would like to play, he would do his best to ascertain the proper price that should be paid by Fulham, including the weekly salary and not just the transfer fee.

"Therefore, the total cost was something he was obliged to consider and refer to Fulham.

"At the end of the day, no transfer would take place unless sanctioned by (owner) Mohamed Al Fayed and Mr Al Fayed says that he relied we say understandably on Tigana and his special position to provide necessary information."

The club also questions the actions of Tigana in pursuing the interests of another player, John Carew, and Valencia football club when Mr Carew failed his medical tests.

Fulham informed Valencia in January 2002 that it did not wish to proceed with the transfer, but Tigana then arranged another examination.