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Peterboro have threatened to bankrupt AWOL forward Craig Mackail-Smith as their transfer dispute escalates.
In a lengthy statement on their official site Barry Fry claims the player has threatened to quit the game until the four and a half year deal expires, and the club will take the player and his agent to court if that happens:
"A week ago the solicitor Jay Chatterjee contacted myself to tell me that he had been approached by the player's father. He had been instructed to tell me that his son would not be coming to the football club. He then informed me that if I made Craig honour the contract, the lad would pack up football and work for his dad for the next four and half years.
"We arranged for Craig to come in on Thursday, but again he did not turn up. He will be fined again. Unfortunately all this is having a huge effect on our chairman Darragh MacAnthony who put his money where his mouth is when nobody else would.
"Therefore, we have informed Craig Mackail-Smith's solicitors that if he does not attend training on Monday we will fine him a maximum of two weeks wages. We have been informed we cannot sue the lawyer because he is acting on advice from his client, but we can begin legal proceedings against the agent Robert Codner for procurement of breach of contract and also sue the player for breach of contract and damages. This will be for a substantial amount of money and could leave the player bankrupt."
The full statement can be read here.
