Fulham want Sir Dave Richards removed as chairman of the Premier League over what they claim was his role in dissuading Peter Crouch from joining the London club. Fulham are taking legal action over allegations that Richards persuaded Crouch, the England striker, to join Tottenham so that financially troubled Portsmouth would receive more money up front. Fulham believed they had a verbal agreement to sign Crouch for £11 million (Dh62.7m) from Portsmouth in July 2009 but he joined Tottenham for £9m instead.
A Premier League inquiry, led by an independent lawyer, cleared Richards of wrongdoing but Fulham have lodged a case with Britain's High Court. Blackpool's players have been assured they will receive the bonuses they are owed from last season's promotion to the Premier League, according to Gordon Taylor, the chief executive of England's Professional Footballers' Association. Blackpool are believed to owe some members of their squad more than £400,000 each for gaining promotion to the top flight thanks to their Championship play-off win over Cardiff in May. Those owed the money are thought to have demanded the bonuses when they returned to training with the Seasiders over three weeks ago.
Taylor said he has been assured the players will be paid by August 6, when the club will receive their first instalment of television money from the Premier League. "We are aware of the situation at Blackpool," Taylor said. "It has been reported to the Premier League and to the Football League. "I am confident that it will be paid. The club have told us that it will be. The players are not worried. They have been reassured that it will be paid."
* Agencies
