GRAYS WON'T PAY
As reported below, (in the BSP News section), Grays Athletic have been given until 19 March, or face what the Essex press calls a "suspension from all football", to pay £14K to a former player who was not paid wages by the club whilst awaiting trial on serious charges. The Grays chairman, Mick Woodward has issued the following statement:
I am bitterly disappointed in The FA's judgment; all they seem to want to do is take money from football clubs.
We are being forced to pay approx £14k to a player who only had 3 training sessions and 20 minutes in a pre-season friendly due to his involvement in a heinous crime which saw a young father shot in cold blood, unfortunately my principles will not allow me to pay this money from either my own pocket or from the clubs and the directors are of the same opinion, I feel sorry for the supporters of this club but I hope that you will back me on this decision.
The club currently has a counter claim going through the County Courts and an offer was made to The FA that they hold the money owed until such time that the case is bought to conclusion; however, they refused to even consider this and demanded that the money is paid directly to Mr Sestanovich.
So I'm talking rubbish am i well after you've read this please apologise as this clearly shows 1. Grays been fined and 2. that the money is going to a member of the fa