Adam wins dispute with Blackpool over bonus

Charlie Adam has won his disagreement with Blackpool over an unpaid bonus after the decision of a Premier League tribunal. The ruling declared, however, that Adam's contract had not been breached, ending any possibility of him being able to leave on a free transfer.

The dispute was over a £20,000 bonus payment that Adam had been promised if he prevented Blackpool from being relegated from the Championship last season. Instead, they were promoted via the play-offs, and Adam took part of a £5m bonus pot, but he still claimed the £20,000.

The Premier League found in Adam's favour, declaring that the midfielder was entitled to the bonus. They were also ruling, however, on whether the non-payment of the bonus from Blackpool amounted to a "repudiatory" breach of Adam's contract. Had they found it to be so then the former Rangers player, who has been instrumental in Blackpool's good start to life in the Premier League, could have left on a free transfer. However, the ruling went the other way.

Adam is Blackpool's captain and has contributed three goals and three assists in the League this season. "Charlie is still with me – he hasn't got a free transfer," the Blackpool manager, Ian Holloway, said.

"What happened between him and the chairman, they are both claiming they have won. I don't want to get involved. Charlie said it was never about getting a free away from this club and the way he is playing is proving that. It was all another storm in a teacup, which happens at this level."

* Wally Downes is West Ham's new defensive coach. Assistant manager Zeljko Petrovic left his position earlier this week, and the Premier League’s bottom club have confirmed that former Brentford manager Downes has joined Avram Grant’s backroom staff.