‘I’ll see you in court’

Football disputes are increasingly referred to the courts rather than being settled by the game’s governing bodies or directly between those involved.

Crystal Palace now face the prospect of being taken to court by Cardiff City over the so-called ‘spygate’ affair.   Cardiff City take the view that the fine imposed by the Football Association for the leaking of their team’s details was insufficient.   

Football disputes are increasingly referred to the courts rather than being settled by the game’s governing bodies or directly between those involved.

Crystal Palace now face the prospect of being taken to court by Cardiff City over the so-called ‘spygate’ affair.   Cardiff City take the view that the fine imposed by the Football Association for the leaking of their team’s details was insufficient.   

Within football, however, the offence is seen as a relatively minor one.   The courts may now have to decide whether to award Cardiff City damages, although if the case was proved, calculating an appropriate amount of compensation might be tricky.