The Football Association of Ireland was yesterday restrained by a High Court order from suspending Bohemians captain James Coll until the full trial of the action between the two parties. A date for the trial will be set later.
Mr Justice Barron yesterday granted an interlocutory injunction preventing the FAI from suspending the footballer.
Mr Coll (33), of Raheen Road, Tallaght, Dublin, was suspended for two games following incidents in the Bohemians/Derry City League game on December 22nd, 1996. The suspension would have taken effect from last Saturday's match against Sligo Rovers and next weekend's FAI Cup game against Wayside Celtic.
On Friday, Mr Justice McCracken granted Mr Coil a temporary injunction until today restraining the FAI from acting on foot of decisions of its disciplinary committee or appeal committee to suspend or fine him.
Mr Coil claims the disciplinary committee, which suspended him for two matches with effect from January 20th, band fined him £20, had acted beyond its powers in conducting a personal hearing outside the 14 days specified in the rules.