Liverpool great Fowler hits out at ‘gangster’ Brisbane Roar

LONDON—Former England and Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler claimed Saturday he was wrongfully dismissed by Brisbane Roar, saying the Australian club “turned gangster” on him and assistant Tony Grant.

 

Fowler was appointed coach last year and overhauled the squad, lifting them to fourth in the A-League before the season was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

 

He and ex-Everton midfielder Grant returned to England and the club announced in late June they had parted ways, citing “the current and ongoing coronavirus situation”, while noting that “family comes first”.

 

It led to Irish striker Roy O’Donovan, who played under Fowler at Brisbane, branding him “selfish”.

 

But the Liverpool legend told the Sydney Morning Herald his contract was abruptly terminated over comments made in a television interview, where he said he felt his return was “not a priority” for the club. The 45-year-old insisted he wanted to see out his two-year contract and did not walk away. “They just suddenly turned gangster on us,” he told the newspaper. “Lots of people have opinions about me but one thing I’m not is selfish. I had a job to do and I wanted to finish that job.

 

AFP