Floriana FC have denied claims from former coach Gianluca Atzori who maintained that he left his job with the Premier League club due to unpaid wages.
In comments given to the Times of Malta, Atzori, who stepped down from his post on Wednesday, said that he left his job as he had not been paid by Floriana since last January and given these conditions he could not stay on.
In reply, Floriana FC have categorically denied the allegations and claimed that they had been in talks with the Italian coach for several weeks but no agreement had been reached, without giving details on when Atzori received his last wages from the club.
“The Club takes note of an article issued in the local press with regards to the termination of employment of Gianluca Atzori, the ex-head-coach of Floriana Football Club,” Floriana FC said in a statement.
“The Club is saddened by the inaccurate and unfair portrayal of the facts in this article. The Club firmly and categorically rejects the claims made and refutes them strongly. The Club has been in discussions with their ex-head-coach Atzori, for several weeks.
“However, unfortunately, a mutual understanding could not be reached.
“We take the reputation of our Club very seriously, and thus any false or misleading statements will not be tolerated.
“The Club undertakes to take all necessary steps to rebut the baseless claims being made in its regard and therefore, confirms that it will be seeking a remedy from the relevant Authorities for the rectification of these damaging allegations.
“The Club remains committed to its fans, staff, and players, and it will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that it upholds the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
“At this stage, the Club will not be making any further statements as this matter is now being taken up before the relevant authorities.”
