ABU DHABI // Former Al Ain football coach Cosmin Olaroiu has had his three-month suspended sentence and Dh21,000 fine for remarks he made during a press conference last November upheld by the Court of Appeal.
The Romanian had been found guilty of implying that the football club had taken money from him to buy shirts for the players at the Misdemeanours Court in February.
His lawyer, Ali Al Haddad, said that they will be referring the case to the Court of Cassation within the 30-day period allowed as they aim to question a point of law that proves Olaroiu’s innocence.
Lawyers for Al Ain FC have asked for the maximum possible penalty and to issue a jail and deportation sentence against the football coach, who guided the UAE’s most supported club to the league title in the 2011-12 season. The club is also suing for civil compensation.
If the verdict is upheld by the cassation court, the Civil Court will consider the appropriate compensation.
In the Court of First Instance, Mr Al Haddad argued that his client had already been punished when he was fined Dh100,000 by the UAE Football Association.
During a press conference Olaroiu also complained about being fined Dh450,000 by the club’s players’ transport and positions committee.
hdajani@thenational.ae
