12-10-2000, 07:09 PM
SIMON Jordan confirmed this week that Andy Linighan’s club contract had been terminated ‘by mutual consent’ after the player showed ‘inappropriate conduct’ on the Eagles’ ill-fated Spanish training trip.
And ex-Arsenal defender Linighan backed up the Palace chairman’s ‘mutual consent’ claim.
After a bust-up on Sunday in Spain at Eagles’ training camp in Spain, Jordan summoned a taxi for Linighan and put him on a plane back to his Hertfordshire home.
Axed defender Linighan told the Advertiser this week: "I am leaving the club my mutual consent. I have enjoyed my years here and the fans have been good.
"But I was not getting in the team at the beginning of this season and obviously I would have liked to be.
"It is probably in the best interests of the club and myself if I move on.
"I think it did surprise me not getting a team place again this season after playing all last season and being voted player of year, but the writing was on the wall for me then. And we all know anyway that a new manager has new ideas.
"I will have a few weeks off and time with my family, keep fit and see what happens."
However, Linighan remained tight lipped about the Spanish incident, which happened late on Sunday evening.
It occured during a row about team selection and tactics.
Linighan and Palace manager Alan Smith flew home on Monday; the rest of the Palace party returned on Tuesday.
Jordan decided Linighan should go and checked the club’s position with the Professional Footballers’ Association.
Jordan told us: "There was no physicality nonsense with Andy Linighan. But he showed inappropriate conduct in Spain.
"All parties have dealt with the matter appropriately. By mutual agreement Andy’s contract has been terminated, being paid up in full."
Smith claimed: "This incident has not really been reported properly so far and there was no fight between anybody on the trip."
(Adder tomorrow)
And ex-Arsenal defender Linighan backed up the Palace chairman’s ‘mutual consent’ claim.
After a bust-up on Sunday in Spain at Eagles’ training camp in Spain, Jordan summoned a taxi for Linighan and put him on a plane back to his Hertfordshire home.
Axed defender Linighan told the Advertiser this week: "I am leaving the club my mutual consent. I have enjoyed my years here and the fans have been good.
"But I was not getting in the team at the beginning of this season and obviously I would have liked to be.
"It is probably in the best interests of the club and myself if I move on.
"I think it did surprise me not getting a team place again this season after playing all last season and being voted player of year, but the writing was on the wall for me then. And we all know anyway that a new manager has new ideas.
"I will have a few weeks off and time with my family, keep fit and see what happens."
However, Linighan remained tight lipped about the Spanish incident, which happened late on Sunday evening.
It occured during a row about team selection and tactics.
Linighan and Palace manager Alan Smith flew home on Monday; the rest of the Palace party returned on Tuesday.
Jordan decided Linighan should go and checked the club’s position with the Professional Footballers’ Association.
Jordan told us: "There was no physicality nonsense with Andy Linighan. But he showed inappropriate conduct in Spain.
"All parties have dealt with the matter appropriately. By mutual agreement Andy’s contract has been terminated, being paid up in full."
Smith claimed: "This incident has not really been reported properly so far and there was no fight between anybody on the trip."
(Adder tomorrow)