Royal Antwerp FC suffered a painful defeat against fellow provincial KV Mechelen last weekend. On Monday the Great Old suffered another blow.
After all, Antwerp still had a case to deal with from ex-coach Brian Priske. He demanded a severance payment from number one, which threw him out at the end of May 2022. Priske still had a contract until May 31 of the following year. A few days after the dismissal, Mark van Bommel was introduced as the new coach.
Priske demanded 500,000 euros
Priske then initiated proceedings at the Antwerp labor court, because he believed that Antwerp had violated an article of his employment contract. He demanded 500,000 euros. He was right in March 2023. Antwerp filed an appeal and demanded part of Priske’s wages back.
Antwerp also counter-attacked and argued that Priske himself resigned to become coach of Czech side Sparta Prague, where he is still at the helm. RAFC in turn demanded 600,000 euros from Priske, but was unsuccessful before the football tribunal in Zurich.
The Labor Court agrees with Priske
The labor court has now ruled in favor of Priske, writes The newspapaer. It considers it proven that the dismissal was indeed at the initiative of Antwerp and not of Priske. It bases this on messages on the club website and WhatsApp communication between the Dane and strong men Sven Jacques and Marc Overmars.
Antwerp must now pay Priske 500,000 euros, plus legal costs. The Dane must in turn repay the net salary (plus withholding tax) that he received between May 23 and 31, 2022. Antwerp does not yet know whether it will appeal to Cassation.
