Chief executive Kenyon denies offering former friend £1.4m to join Chelsea

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon yesterday denied that his former friend was ever appointed acting chief executive — even though the club put out a press release saying so at the time.

Paul Smith claims that he was parachuted into Chelsea in September 2003 to hold the fort until Mr Kenyon could join as chief executive after being put on gardening leave by Manchester United.

As a result of the press release, media continued to refer to Mr Smith as acting chief executive when he later commented on possible Chelsea bids for star strikers Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wayne Rooney, a tribunal heard.

But Mr Kenyon told Central London Employment Tribunal: ‘I don't believe Paul Smith was ever appointed as acting chief executive.’

Mr Kenyon said that he recommended Mr Smith to the Chelsea board as an ideal candidate for commercial and marketing director.

And he denied Mr Smith's claim that he offered him a £1.4m pay package to join Chelsea and then reneged on the deal.

The hearing concluded yesterday and the tribunal panel will publish their decision in due course. Mr Smith is claiming £366,000 from the tribunal and plans High Court action to gain a total of more than £1m.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have recruited Carlos Pracidelli from Palmeiras as their new goalkeeping coach. Pracidelli worked with new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari at Palmeiras and with Brazil.