Soccer:Neale Fenn has denied any wrongdoing having left Dundalk and signed for Shamrock Rovers last month, but his former club are calling for an FAI investigation and their manager Ian Foster has described the situation as "totally unacceptable".
Fenn’s contract with Dundalk was cancelled last month for reasons he says were “mutually beneficial” but, having told the club he wanted to retire for family reasons he then joined Rovers.
The League of Ireland veteran insisted today he got a call from Rovers boss Michael O’Neill shortly after his contract was cancelled and accepted an offer he “could not turn down”.
His comments were in response to separate statements released this morning by Dundalk and Foster.
The latter outlined his disappointment with the situation having made Fenn vice-captain after bringing him to Dundalk in February, following his release form Bohemians.
He claims Fenn told him he wanted to retire in July and he immediately sought a replacement in Matthew Tipton before terminating the contract.
“The events that followed are totally unacceptable,” said Foster. “I am saddened that a man who was so integral to our season would act in such a callous manner. He has been disrespectful to his team-mates, myself, directors and supporters of Dundalk FC.
“His actions go against the spirit of the sport. At Dundalk FC we always try to do things the right way, in the right manner and with integrity. I do not believe that others have acted in the same way.
“I believe that the Footballers union, the PFAI should publicly condemn his actions and the precedent that it may set in our sport.
“In the future I would like to think that if a similar situation like this came up again, that I would conduct myself in the same manner and allow a player to retire for the sake of him and his family.”
In his statement, which was released by the PFAI, Fenn insisted: “I have always had the utmost respect for Dundalk Football Club and their supporters and I am very disappointed that any adverse allegations are being made.
“I am happy that I have always acted properly, fairly and within the rules of the association.”
Dundalk will formally request an FAI investigation “to determine if it is fully satisfied that all national association regulations have been complied with.”
The club statement continued: “Subject to these findings, and the internal disputes procedure, the club will reserve its right to take any further action it deems appropriate in establishing natural, sporting and contractual justice in this affair.
“To avoid further distraction from the endeavours of the club, management, players, staff and supporters to focus on the crucial remaining games of the season, Dundalk Football Club do not intend to make any further public comment on this matter in the immediate future.”
