Tag Archives: solicitors

Celtic reach settlement with Alan Thompson

Posted on by

Celtic reach settlement with Thompson over coach's dismissal from club

|

UPDATED:

18:21 GMT, 29 June 2012

Celtic have announced they have settled with Alan Thompson over his dismissal from the club's coaching staff.

The former Celtic player's contract was terminated earlier this month and he instructed his lawyers to act over the issue.

Settled: Alan Thompson (right) spent time as a player and a coach at Celtic

Settled: Alan Thompson (right) spent time as a player and a coach at Celtic

A statement on the club's official website read: 'Celtic PLC and Alan Thompson are pleased to advise that they have reached an agreement to amicably settle their legal dispute.

'Celtic PLC extend their thanks to Alan for his services to the club as a top-level player and a first-class coach.

'Alan would like to express his deep gratitude for the overwhelming and heartfelt backing he has received from Celtic fans everywhere, and for the support of his legal team at Bridge Litigation UK Solicitors.

'Alan intends to continue his coaching career, building on the invaluable experience gained during his time with Celtic.

'Alan wishes Celtic Football Club and the fans every success for the future.

'Celtic would like to thank Alan for the contribution he has made to the club over a number of years as both a player and a coach, and we sincerely wish him well for the future.'

Angry Liverpool owners target Ian Ayre

Posted on by

Now angry Liverpool owners target Ayre as Anfield purge continues

|

UPDATED:

22:32 GMT, 12 May 2012

Ayre attack warning: Liverpool's commercial director facing the ire of owners

Ayre attack warning: Liverpool's commercial director facing the ire of owners

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre is under scrutiny as the club's American owners continue a review of the club.

With three high-profile casualties
already, and manager Kenny Dalglish worried about his own position this
summer, there is no indication the Anfield purge is over.

Dalglish has been forced to come out to defend his record as he waits to find out if a managerial change is to be made.

It is more likely, however, that the club will give priority to finding the right personnel for key executive positions.

They
recently sacked director of football Damian Comolli, head of
communications Ian Cotton and head of sports science Peter Brukner and
want to ensure that if Dalglish continues as manager, there is a strong
team around him to allow him to concentrate purely on football.

Principal
owner John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner are demanding to know why
Liverpool failed to challenge for a Champions League place this season
and are angry at the negative worldwide publicity surrounding the Luis
Suarez-Patrice Evra race abuse case that saw Liverpool's star striker
banned for eight matches.

Ayre, whose commercial skills are highly valued at the club, is under fire for not taking command of the Suarez affair and allowing the confrontational Dalglish to be perceived as driving club policy.

Troubled season: Luis Suarez (left) embroiled in a race row with Patrice Evra and results did not please Dalglish (right)

Troubled season: Luis Suarez (left) embroiled in a race row with Patrice Evra and results did not please Dalglish (right)

Troubled: Suarez (left) in a race row with Evra and Dalglish (right) is under pressure

In particular, the owners feel that no expense should have been spared in hiring the best lawyers with expertise in race relations to put the Uruguayan's case to an independent FA commission.

The club used solicitors McCormicks – experts in sport, media and entertainment law – to represent Suarez, assisted by Liverpool's general counsel Natalie Wignall and club secretary Zoe Ward.

The case was heard in acrimonious circumstances with Dalglish accused of prejudging the outcome by allowing his players to wear T-shirts in support of Suarez before a game against Wigan.

Liverpool play their final game of the season against Swansea City on Sunday, battling neighbours Everton for seventh place.

And that's not what Henry had in mind when he bought the club and bankrolled a 110million spending spree on new players.

If Dalglish digs in and resists the changes afoot at Anfield, replacements such as Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez will be assessed.

Wakefield 32 Catalan Dragons 22: Wildcats end winless run despite late rally

Posted on by

Wakefield 32 Catalan Dragons 22: Wildcats end winless run despite late rally

|

UPDATED:

18:53 GMT, 25 March 2012

Wakefield ended a five-match losing run with their first home win of the Stobart Super League season against an out-of-sorts Catalan Dragons side at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium.

Winger Peter Fox scored his first tries since the Wildcats' opening-day win at Widnes and the home side led 30-6 after 51 minutes before withstanding a late rally from their French visitors.

Scott Dureau, Vincent Duport and Clint Greenshields all scored late tries as the Dragons cut the gap to just eight points, but Wakefield stand-off Isaac John closed out the game with a penalty on the final hooter.

Foxy: Wakefield Wildcats had Peter Fox to thank for victory over Catalan Dragons

Foxy: Wakefield Wildcats had Peter Fox to thank for victory over Catalan Dragons

One lapse in defence by Richard Agar's men let the Catalans in for a try on 34 minutes, scored by Gregory Mounis and converted by Dureau, but the Wildcats had the better of the first half and were good value for their 24-6 lead.

Winger Ben Cockayne opened the scoring after 12 minutes with his seventh try of the season and two in five minutes from Fox and Andy Raleigh midway through the first half put the home team in control.

Fox closed the half with an 80-metre breakaway try, converted by John, who was on target with all four first-half conversions.

John added to Wakefield's healthy lead with penalty and a try from Danny Kirmond on 52 minutes looked to have secured the points.

But the Perpignan team struck back through Dureau and Duport and Wakefield survived a late scare when a four-man move over 70 metres put Greenshields in for the final try, converted by Dureau.

SFA announce inquiry into Rangers

Posted on by

SFA to launch inquiry into Rangers as search for missing money goes on

The Scottish Football Association have confirmed they will conduct a full independent inquiry into the activities of Rangers.

The governing body will investigate whether there have been any potential breaches of their Articles of Association.

The SFA say attempts to obtain information relating to their 'fit and proper person' requirement – regarding Rangers owner Craig Whyte – have been restricted by the club solicitors' failure to share information.

Rangers were forced into administration on Tuesday over an unpaid tax bill of 9million accrued since Whyte's takeover of the club in May.

Inquiry: Money owed in tax has 'gone missing'

Inquiry: Money owed in tax has 'gone missing'

An SFA statement read: 'The Scottish FA can today confirm its intention to conduct a full independent inquiry into the activities of Rangers FC and, specifically, a number of potential breaches of the Scottish FA’s Articles of Association.

'We are concerned by the developing situation at the club and the new information that has come to light since the appointment of the club administrators, Duff and Phelps.

'The chairman and his panel will be briefed by the chief executive, Stewart Regan, next week and will consult further with the administrators, Duff and Phelps, as part of their inquiry.

'We have been guaranteed full co-operation by Paul Clark, representing the company.

'The Scottish FA’s previous efforts in obtaining information relevant to the Fit and Proper Person requirement has been restricted by the club’s solicitors' continued failure to share information in a timely or detailed manner.

High hopes: Ally McCoist trained his squad as usual on Friday

High hopes: Ally McCoist trained his squad as usual on Friday

'We now feel there is no option but to undertake an independent inquiry to establish the clear facts and to determine the extent of any possible rules breaches.'

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said: 'Since we have been unable to receive any detailed information requested in relation to Article 10, we feel we have no option but to appoint an independent committee to investigate a number of concerns we have raised.

'We expect the investigation to be concluded as quickly as possible and will confirm the outcome in due course. We will be making no further comment on the investigation in the meantime.

'Finally, I would like to reiterate the need to learn the lessons from this unedifying episode.

'It is essential that we work together to improve the overall sustainability and competitiveness of the game in this country.

'This is a matter that the Scottish FA is already in discussions with the relevant league bodies to address.'

James DeGale claims split from Frank Warren – but promoter disagrees

Posted on by

DeGale claims split from Warren but promoter says he is under contract until 2013

James DeGale's management team Frank Warren Promotions insisted the Olympic gold medallist remained under contract to them until April 2013.

The 24-year-old had earlier announced in a statement released by his solicitors, Blick & Co, that he would be moving on from manager Warren's stable of fighters.

The European super-middleweight champion from Harlesden, London, said in his short statement: 'I think it is time for both of us to move on.'
However, his management company have denied that will be happening and released their own statement in response.

Split: James DeGale and Frank Warren have gone their separate ways

Split: James DeGale and Frank Warren have gone their separate ways

'We have seen the press reports today (Friday)
in which James DeGale states that he is to split from his manager Frank
Warren,' the statement from Frank Warren Promotions read.

'This is not true; James DeGale is in fact under contract until 14 April 2013.'

DeGale shot to prominence four years ago by winning middleweight gold at the Beijing Games.

He turned professional later that
year and joined Warren's promotional stable along with fellow Olympians
Billy Joe Saunders and Frankie Gavin.

Titus Bramble faces third charge of sexual assault

Posted on by

Bramble hit with third charge of sexual assault in impending court case

In the dock: Sunderland defender Titus Bramble

In the dock: Sunderland defender Titus Bramble

Sunderland defender Titus Bramble faces a third charge of sexual assault.

The 30-year-old was accused of indecently touching two women in separate incidents on a night out in Yarm, Teesside, in September.

At a hearing at Teesside Magistrates' Court, the player was told an additional sexual assault charge relating to one of the existing complainants was to be added to the indictment.

Bramble, of Wellington Drive, Wynyard, Teesside, denied the new charge.
He had already pleaded not guilty to the original two sexual assault charges.

Bramble was formally cleared of a charge of urinating in a public place after the prosecution said it was no longer being pursued.

His case was committed to the Crown Court and a trial will take place on a date to be set.

Bramble's solicitor, Phil Smith from London-based Tuckers Solicitors, said in a statement after the hearing that the charges were 'based on poor quality and contradictory evidence' and will be 'fervently denied'.

Mr Smith added: 'Titus very much looks forward to the opportunity to clear his name at his trial in the crown court.'