Coughlan Gets Year Ban & €5K Fine As Cork’s League Future Hangs In Balance

Sportspeak understands that an FAI Independent Disciplinary Committee has issued a €5,000 fine and a one year ban against Mr Tom Coughlan from football related activity for bringing the game into disrepute, with the ban implemented immediately.The ban will exclude Mr Coughlan, as Director of
Cork City FC, from FAI Council membership and all privileges will be
withdrawn with immediate effect. In addition, Mr Coughlan will be
banned from representing the club under the participation agreement as
well as nomination to any FAI committee, under any capacity. Commenting on the Independent Disciplinary Committee’s decision, Fran Gavin Director of the League of Ireland said, “The majority of League of Ireland clubs operate as independent companies and their Directors are responsible for ensuring that they are run in accordance with Irish company law. The FAI cannot dictate
who owns clubs as this would conflict with company law and is purely a
matter for the club or limited company. When Mr Coughlan was selected
last year by the examiner to bring Cork City FC out of examinership,the move was welcomed. While we acknowledge that Mr Coughlan invested money in Cork City FC at that difficult time, his subsequent actions have damaged the credibility of both the club and the League. Although Mr Coughlan is presently owner and Director of Cork City FC, we now call on him to consider his position in the interests of the fans and the players, as well as the long term future of the club.” This could yet have serious ramifications for the future of Cork City and there is now a real fear that they could be relegated from the League of Ireland Premier Division, which could force the FAI to re-instate Bray Wanderers Football Club who were relegated to the First Division this year back into the Premier meaning it would be the shortest relegation in the league’s history.

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