City Statement Says U`s 'Moved Goalposts`

Norwich City tonight accept they did break rules regarding Paul Lambert`s appointment nine months ago, but contend that Colchester United kept 'moving the goalposts` subsequently.

The Norfolk club have been hit with two separate bills, with £425,000 due direct to the U`s as payment for Lambert`s services by the football disciplinary committee. They own as much as a further £200,000 in fines payable to the Football League for breaking football League Regulation 20.

The Norwich City solicitor, Dan Chapman, has been overtly critical Colchester`s conduct in angling for a points deduction through the Football Association. He was reacting to news of the arbitration in an online edition of Canary-supporting paper, The Pink`un.

Clapham said: "We felt that Colchester failed to engage in the process of negotiation and continually 'moved the goalposts' in terms of what they were seeking and why, and the decision of the FDC has reflected that. Norwich City were in a position where they were bidding against themselves."

Robbie Cowling, meanwhile, yesterday maintained his bullish approach to City`s conduct as the correct one by saying he didn`t feel the sanctions imposed upon City were hard enough.

The U`s Chairman and owner however did say he had a "smile on his face" regarding the amount of compensation he understood was to be awarded to the Essex club.




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