Premiership: Players' boss backs Ginola claim

Players' chief Gordon Taylor claims Aston Villa boss John Gregory's comments about David Ginola last season could be seen as 'harassment'.

Ginola is set for a legal fight with his club.

He claims he was the subject of defamatory remarks from Gregory when the manager criticised the Frenchman's physique.

"He feels that he's got some justification in this. In any other job it would be seen as harassment," Taylor said on a radio programme.

Professional Footballers Association chief executive Taylor has been in contact with Gregory and Villa chairman Doug Ellis as he attempts to resolve the matter.

And Taylor also claims Prime Minister Tony Blair's barrister wife Cherie, an expert in employment law, has become involved in the case.

"Cherie Blair rang me before she went to Argentina with her family," Taylor said.

"She wanted to check out footballing procedures."

Taylor has spoken to Gregory in his bid solve the conflict but the former Portsmouth manager apparently maintains he has done nothing wrong.

"He told me he was entitled to do with his players as he wished," Taylor said.