Football Disciplinary Commission makes debut in Wise case

The Football Disciplinary Commission (FDC) - set up by the Football League to settle player and club disputes without the need for 'messy legal disputes' - held its first arbitration hearing this week.

The FDC, acting with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, last week investigated a claim for unfair dismissal brought by former England international Dennis Wise against his club Leicester City, after he was sacked for assaulting a team-mate.

Former Court of Appeal judge and institute member Sir Philip Otton, chairing the tribunal alongside nominated representatives for the player and club, found Leicester City to be in breach of contract.

The club's appeal is to be heard this week.

Allan Connarty, the institute's director of operations, said a number of hearings were already lined up.

'It's going to be a fairly busy time,' he said.

He said the costs 'are but a fraction of what they would have been if the case had been heard through the usual legal channels'.

Also this week, the Professional Footballers Association appointed its first in-house solicitor.

Jo Armstrong has joined from Colemans-CTTS.

Fellow Manchester firm George Davies is the association's external firm.

Andrew Towler