Fayed evidence 'without credibility'

Evidence presented by Fulham's chairman, Mohamed Al-Fayed, in the club's legal action against its former manager, Jean Tigana "did not have any credibility", the High Court heard yesterday.

Evidence presented by Fulham's chairman, Mohamed Al-Fayed, in the club's legal action against its former manager, Jean Tigana "did not have any credibility", the High Court heard yesterday.

Paul Goulding QC, speaking as he made his final submissions on behalf of Tigana, told Mr Justice Elias: "In certain respects it [Fayed's evidence] was vague. In others it was clearly untrue. In some parts it was fictional."

Goulding added: "We submit his evidence - which your Lordship read and then heard from him - was not consistent, was not in certain respects at all sustainable, was contradicted in other respects by his own witnesses and therefore is not reliable."

Tigana was dismissed by Fulham in June last year. The club claim that he was in breach of the obligations of his April 2000 contract, the implied obligations of fidelity, good faith, trust and confidence, and the fiduciary duties owed by virtue of being a director.

The club allege that the goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was bought in July 2001 at an inflated price of £7m. It says that striker Steve Marlet was purchased at an inflated price of £11.5m in August 2001. The club also questioned Tigana's persistence in an attempt to sign John Carew from Valencia even after he had failed a medical.

But Goulding said Tigana "could not even put up a net behind the goal without asking somebody", such was Tigana's desire to seek approval before making decisions.

Fulham's final submissions will be made today.