West Brom managerTony Pulis faces a total bill of £6m after being branded a liar by a judge in his court case with former club Crystal Palace.
Pulis had been appealing against an independent tribunal ruling earlier this year which had ordered the 58-year-old to repay a £2m bonus he received after helping Palace avoid relegation. He had now ordered to pay £3.776m -£2.276m for the bonus plus damages of £1.5m, but it now being faced with a further £2m charge.
According toThe Sun, the extra charge will bring the total fee up to £6m. Pulis was due a £2m bonus after keeping Palace up during the 2013-14 season if he stayed at the club until August 31, but asked for the money two daysearly before quitting on August 14 just before the start of the season.
EXCLUSIVE: Tony Pulis faces £6m bill after being slammed by judge in court battle with Palace https://t.co/9Zj7acnLQF pic.twitter.com/4WywyjwRsO
High Court judge Sir Michael Burton stated the arbitration tribunal was told Pulis' reasoning for asking for the cash fee early was due to the imminent purchase of land for his children, and that he "urgently needed the money."
However, Crystal Palace co-owner Steve Parish was able to prove that the former Stoke City boss was not being truthful.
The tribunal concluded they believed Pulis intended on giving his former club the "false impression" he had a legitimate reason for requesting the money early, and thathe knew or was reckless to the fact that the impression he was giving to the club was a false one�.
Tony Pulis branded a liar by a judge who orders him to pay £6m to #cpfc “ the now skint #wba manager is given another mauling in the Sun. pic.twitter.com/x5989A1LQ8
Sir Michael Burton stated: The Tribunal found the Claimant had deliberately sought to deceive with his claims about needing the bonus early in order to buy land for his children.�
Arbitrators had criticised Pulis' conduct during their report earlier this year.
The reportsaid: By any standards his conduct (prior to and during the litigation) has been shown to be disgraceful.�
It is much more likely he intended to seek more lucrative employment with another club and that is the real reason he sought early payment, rather than an urgent need for the money for a non-existent land transaction.�