Fulham lose out in Tigana dispute
 |  Tigana (left) and Al Fayed in happier times at Fulham |
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LONDON, England -- Fulham have failed in an attempt to win damages from former manager Jean Tigana in a High Court case that could cost the club more than £4 million ($7.4m).
The Premier League club, owned by Mohamed Al Fayed, alleged that Tigana had overpaid more than £7m for new players and had negotiated transfers in secret, in breach of his contract.
"I consider that the defendent has behaved properly and conscientiously in his dealings with Fulham and did not act dishonourably towards the club," Justice Elias said in his judgment.
Tigana, a former French international, told the court he had always acted honestly and in the best interests of the London club when he was manager from June 2000 until his dismissal in June 2003.
"I am very happy at the decision," Tigana said in statement. "I am sad that I had to litigate against the club, for which I still have considerable affection, to prove my innocence and integrity.
"All I ever wanted to do was to help Fulham FC become a great club."
Tigana's counter-suit for £2.1 million worth of share options in the club was successful. Added to the £455,000 Tigana won at an employment tribunal in September 2003, which had been held by lawyers pending Friday's judgment, and the costs for both sides - an interim payment of £400,000 was ordered on Friday - the case could cost Fulham around £4.5 million.
Fulham, who were granted 13 days to appeal, said they were "disappointed."
Fulham said the French manager had paid too much for goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and striker Steve Marlet and had pursued the signing of striker John Carew after Fulham had decided not to proceed with the deal.
Dutchman Van der Sar was bought from Juventus in July 2001 for £7 million, a fee the club said in their complaint was £2-3 million over his market value.
Frenchman Marlet cost Fulham £11.5 million when he arrived from Lyon in August 2001 but the club alleged he was worth no more than £7 million.
In the Carew case, the club said Tigana had arranged a second medical for the Norwegian striker despite Fulham telling Spain's Valencia they were no longer interested in signing him after he failed an earlier examination.
But after a case lasting three weeks, the judge dismissed all the allegations in his 30-page judgement.
"We...need time to consider fully the terms of the judgement," said a Fulham statement. "The case before the court only dealt with very limited issues.
"Criminal investigations are already under way in France into relevent transfers and the roles played by certain individuals. Depending on the outcome of these inquiries we will pursue these matters further.
"We remain confident the truth will eventually emerge."
Fulham lodged a criminal complaint in France last year that identifies Tigana, among others, as having dishonestly benefited financially from Marlet's transfer.
