[David_Froggatt]

I am the chairperson of a voluntary junior football club and I wrote an e-mail to all its members
Highlighting that we thought there was a conflict of interest with some of the coaches doing coaching roles at 2 clubs. Is this Liabel or Slanderous

Exact e-mail:
Over the last few days leaflets have been distributed via school and/or by individuals connected to a local club attempting to generate support for Children's Football.

This leaflet and its promises are NOT ASSOCIATED with xxxxxxxxxx JFC.

It has come to our attention that some people may have been confused or mis-informed by individuals regarding this leaflet and I hope this e-mail will help give you some clarity on behalf of xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx JFC.



[1] The club on the leaflet, xxxxxxxxxxJFC, is not connected to xxxxxxxxxxxxJFC and has no link to the club, other than 2/3 coaches have coached at both clubs and some of the children play for both clubs.

[2] However due to the issues that have arisen as a result of this leaflet being issued, coupled with the accompanying comments that have been made, we, as a local community club that works closely with xxxxxxxxxxxxxx, will be reviewing the coaches' positions due to a conflict of interest and breach of trust.

[3] xxxxxxxxxxxxxJFC will continue to be run from xxxxxxxxxxxxxx and train on the xxxxxxxx field, as we have done for the past 5 years.

[4] In addition to this we are entering a team into the xxxxxxxxxx League next season for the boys who we feel would benefit from now playing that level of competitive football and when any of the other boys become ready to move to the next level we will gladly do the same to support their future development.

[5] Anyone choosing to attend the training sessions identified in the leaflet needs to be aware that they will be joining a totally different club with a completely different mission/objective and will not enjoy the local links and relationships that we have built up.

[6] We would be disappointed to lose any members [children] as we are looking to build up the club even further [as hopefully witnessed through the recent xxxxxxxxxxxJFC Newsletter], however we totally understand these decisions are for the children and their parents to make – I would hope that you choose to remain with xxxxxxxxxxxx but fully respect that people have freedom to choose.

[excon]

Hello David:

I don't know if what you said is true or not. If it's true, it's not libel (printed). If it's a lie, it is. However, based upon a quick read, you made NO pronouncements of fact, so it would be hard to think of it as libelous.

excon

[AK lawyer]

... NO pronouncements of fact, so it would be hard to think of it as libelous.

"conflict of interest and breach of trust"