Sacked Brisbane Roar A-League coach Frank Farina is suing his former club for more than $325,000 as well as compensation for the loss of all potential future income.
In documents lodged in the Supreme Court in Brisbane, Farina alleges the Queensland Roar FC Pty Limited and the Queensland Roar FC Partnership – the companies behind the Brisbane Roar – terminated his contract in a way that significantly damaged his reputation as a football coach.
Farina appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court in November where he was fined $500 after pleading guilty to driving with a blood alcohol limit of 0.120 on October 2
Court documents said Farina learned he’d been sacked as the Roar’s coach, effective immediately, only via a media conference with the club’s chairman Chris Bombolas on October 14.
The former Socceroo and national coach is now suing the Roar to pay out his contract from October 14 to February 28, 2011.
The claims include $276,123.90 in gross salary, $24,851.15 in superannuation, $25,000 for the potential loss of the premiership bonus and all mobile phone expenses.
He is also suing the club for the loss of all potential future income resulting from his “damaged” reputation.
The documents allege that Farina’s employment agreement stated that the Queensland Roar FC would not act in a way likely to cause harm to his reputation as a football coach.
However, he alleges that comments made to various media outlets by several members of the Roar’s board of directors “significantly damaged” his reputation.
“Bombolas made public statements which were calculated to, and did, have the effect of causing statements to be widely published in the Australian and international media to the effect that the plaintiff misconducted himself in his employment,” the court document reads.
“The plaintiff has a significantly diminished prospect of gaining employment as a football coach in Australia and internationally.”
Farina also alleges on October 10 that Mr Bombolas said to him: “There were people in high places in the Football Federation Australia (FFA) that don’t like you.”
During a meeting with the board of directors two days later, Farina also alleges one of the directors said to him: “It was a mistake any of us could have made … we have probably all done it.”
No date has been set for a court hearing.
Chook
Guest
I liked Frank as a coach, but I think he wasnt taking the Brisbane Roar to the next level, Mind you Ange isnt going to either. Since the FFA will be bailing out Brisbane they pretty much have a say of who goes where. Craig Moore is leaving the Roar at the end of the year. :(
Art Sapphire
Guest
$25,000 for the potential loss of the premiership bonus - give me a spell. How about Farina reimburse every Roar member for the ill-disciplined rabble he put out on the park.
K B
Guest
I think the FFA just wanted to rid themselves of some highly overly paid salaries... But in defence of the FFA, Frankie was not taking his job very seriously.. To be turning up at training with the smell of alcohol on your breath is not a good look for the club...
Brian Munich
Guest
Unfortunately it seems to be the modern way. I think Farina has been poorly advised and this action will further distance him from the football community and further deteriorate his employment prospects. Regarding Roar, football clubs haven't the best track record in dotting their i's and crossing their t's in contractual matters, and presumably Farina's lawyers will be hoping that they could make hay from any sloppiness in that direction. Presumably, Chris Bombalas is regretting the looseness of his comments. But on the face of it, you're hard pressed to see much of a case for Farina - he initiated the whole thing with his poor behaviour and Roar appeared quite within their rights to take action. And wasn't the announcement held up by Farina negotiating his way out? One would have to assume Farina's had second thoughts about the settlement agreed at that point.
Mxjosh
Roar Rookie
His damaged reputation also came from the fact he was caught for drink driving on the way to training. something tells me that made any contractual agreement a bit null and void
Crashy
Guest
its the last thing the cash strapped Roar need. I say Farina brought this all on himself.
craig
Guest
Sour grapes i say. Get over it