LONDON: David O’Leary is going to FIFA in his fight to gain a sacking settlement from Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates. The Irishman was dismissed in April 2011, one year into a three-year contract.
O’Leary claims he has yet to receive compensation from the club and Graham Noakes, head of professional game at the Football Association, confirmed O’Leary was now appealing to FIFA’s dispute resolution chamber. He said: “Following application from Mr O’Leary’s advisers, the FA has referred this matter to FIFA which has the authority to intervene in disputes of this kind.”
The former Arsenal player and Leeds United manager was replaced by Abdulhamid Almastaki. Al Ahli won only 10 of the 30 matches they played under O’Leary after his appointment in July 2010.
** Qatar Sports Investments , the Qatari owner of French league leaders Paris Saint-Germain, has puchased the remaining 30pc of shares controlled by the previous owner, American consortium Colony Captal. QSI bought a 70pc stake from Colony last summer.