Premiership-winning coach Des Hasler has taken his former club Manly to court, seeking compensation after his contract was terminated with a year to run.
Hasler was sacked by the Sea Eagles last October and soon after signalled his intention to file legal action. According to The Daily Telegraph, civil proceedings will commence on October 20.
The Sea Eagles have refused to back down with a club spokesman telling The Daily Telegraph that Manly is “ready to defend the claim in court”.
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While at the helm, Hasler criticised the club for its handling of the Pride jersey fiasco last season.
Seven players, Josh Schuster, Josh Aloiai, Tolutau Koula, Haumole Olakau’atu, Jason Saab, Toafofoa Sipley and Christian Tuipulotu all refused to play in Manly’s Round 18 clash against the Roosters in a one-off rainbow jersey citing religious beliefs.
Hasler says club’s decision to wear the jerseys and failure to inform the players was “poor management”
“We are here to apologise for a significant mistake made by the Manly Sea Eagles football club,” Hasler said at the time.
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“We wish to apologise to the LGBTQ community who embrace the rainbow colours, to use these colours for pride, advocacy and human rights issues which have played an integral role in the inclusion and diversity of all minority groups.”
A few months later, Hasler was let go after an unanimous decision from the Sea Eagles board with the club hiring Anthony Seibold to replace him.
The 62-year old has since signed a three-year contract to coach the Gold Coast Titans from 2024.
This isn’t the first time Hasler has sued a former club. In 2017, he took the Bulldogs to court after he was sacked with two years to run on his contract.
The matter would end up being settled out of court.
