Tigana counters Fulham's allegation of 'dishonesty'

The former Fulham manager Jean Tigana told the High Court yesterday that his priority was always to do what was best for the Premiership side.

The former Fulham manager Jean Tigana told the High Court yesterday that his priority was always to do what was best for the Premiership side.

Tigana, who was dismissed in June last year, was yesterday questioned about his conduct of three transfer deals. The club claims that he was in breach of the obligations of his April 2000 contract, the implied obligations of fidelity, good faith, trust and confidence and the fiduciary duties owed by virtue of being a director.

The club's QC, David Phillips, told Mr Justice Elias in London: "Mr Tigana's career at Fulham began in hope and optimism but ended in deceit and dishonesty. We say that he not only acted in a manner contrary to the club's interests but subsequently deliberately concealed what he he had done from Fulham."

Tigana said in evidence: "I believe that I always acted in the best interests of the team and the club as a whole ... Any actions that I took as the club's manager and/or a director were calculated to benefit the club."

The club alleges that the goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar was bought in July 2001 at a gross overvalue of £7m when the transfer was worth no more than £4.5m. It says that striker Steve Marlet was purchased at a gross overvalue of £11.5m in August 2001 when worth no more than £7m. The club also questioned Tigana's persistence in an attempt to sign John Carew from Valencia even after he had failed a medical in January 2002.

Tigana has counter-claimed for unfair dismissal against Fulham's action for unspecified damages and seeks payment of all unpaid money he says is due to him which was not covered by a previous employment tribunal hearing.