MELBOURNE - Former England star Robbie Fowler has taken legal action seeking damages over his contract termination by cash-strapped A-League soccer club North Queensland Fury.
Fowler, who has since signed with Perth Glory, was one of seven former Fury players who had their contracts terminated after the corporate restructure of
the club this year.
The legal action was launched by the players' union, Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), on Fowler's behalf against the Fury and Football Federation Australia (FFA).
The PFA said in a statement yesterday that the stance taken by the FFA and the Fury had left five players unemployed, three of whom were recovering from long-term injuries.
The PFA had negotiated settlements for six players, but were unable to reach an agreement for Fowler.
"The case is of fundamental importance to all A-League players, as it goes to the heart of the security of a player contract in the A-League," PFA chief executive Brendan Schwab said.
"To Robbie's credit, he could have gone and played in just about any country around the world and forgotten about the Fury situation, but he is committed to developing the Australian game and ensuring contract security for Australian players."
The PFA has requested a hearing of the National Dispute Resolution Chamber.
Fowler said the A-League players felt strongly that all contracts needed to be protected whenever an A-League club was restructured. "Players make career and lifestyle changing decisions in reliance on the contracts they have signed," Fowler said.
"Obviously, the game's extensive efforts to attract the highest calibre of players into the competition are only as strong as the security of the contracts they sign.
"This case is not about the compensation, it is about ensuring contract security for all players in the A-League and, more specifically, for the players who have suffered from the way in which the FFA handled the player contracts.
"Players like James Robinson, Scott Wilson and Jacob Timpano, whose careers have been cut short after being terminated while recovering from long-term injuries."
Fowler will be seeking compensation for damages and a declaration of his rights.
- AAP
