Source: Daily_Mail
Fulham take case against Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards to Court of Appeal
Legal wrangle: Sir Dave Richards (left)[LNB]Fulham have taken their case to have Sir Dave Richards removed as Premier League chairman for his alleged interference in their attempt to sign Peter Crouch from Portsmouth to the Court of Appeal.[LNB] Mr Justice Vos ordered a stay of the club's legal proceedings against Richards and the Premier League after deciding that independent arbitration was the best way to settle the dispute. [LNB]Fulham subsequently exercised their right to appeal that decision. [LNB]The Cottagers claim that Richards' involvement scuppered their bid to buy England striker Crouch, who eventually signed for Tottenham in a £9million deal in the summer of 2009.[LNB]Richards allegedly intervened because Spurs were prepared to offerPortsmouth £9m up front at a time when the south-coast club's veryexistence was under threat, while Fulham were thought to be planning topay in instalments.[LNB]The Cottagers believe Richards broke both FA and Premier League rulesand failed to act fairly by promoting the interests of one club overanother.[LNB] Man in the middle: Crouch (left) moved from Portsmouth to Tottenham[LNB]Though he accepts he did speak with Portsmouth's then chief executive Peter Storrie - a personal friend - Richards denies he sought to assist Tottenham. [LNB]He was cleared of any wrongdoing by a Premier League inquiry but Fulham felt otherwise and called in the lawyers, an unprecedented step from a shareholder club against an organisation's chairman. [LNB]If he is ousted, it would send shockwaves through the English game. [LNB]The former Sheffield Wednesday supremo has been Premier League chairman for 11 years and is also vice-chairman of the FA, chairman of Club England and is on the FA's international committee. [LNB] Fulham forced to put case against Premier League boss Richards on holdLeo's London: Fulham may be falling but Hughes remains the SparkFULHAM FC
