Dwight Yorke secures $290,000 compensation for sacking by A-Leagues' Macarthur FC

Former Macarthur FC coach Dwight Yorke has been awarded $290,000 in compensation for his sacking by the A-League team after just 13 games of the 2022/23 season.

The former Manchester United forward, who briefly played in the A-League for Sydney FC, was dismissed in January 2023 after a dressing room outburst.

In an unpublished judgment obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on Friday upheld a FIFA Players’ Status Chamber (PSC) decision that Macarthur pay Yorke $212,500 after ruling the club had breached the parties’ contract and sacked him without just cause. With interest, Yorke will be paid around about $290,000.

Macarthur has also been ordered to pay 90% of Yorke’s legal costs.

Macarthur appealed the PSC ruling, made in June last year, claiming that Yorke had damaged the club’s reputation with remarks, later reported in the media, made after a 1-0 away loss to Adelaide United on 20th January 2023.

The club alleged Yorke had described his side as a “pub team” and called the club “hopeless from top to bottom” in front of Chairman Gino Marra and Chief Executive Sam Krslovic.

While Yorke conceded he did give a stern address, he denied making the reported comments, with CAS finding that he did not lower the reputation of the club.

After the judgement, Yorke’s lawyer Greg Griffin told the Sydney Morning Herald “it’s a complete vindication for Dwight and it removes an unnecessary stain on an otherwise unblemished career.”

Yorke had lodged a counterclaim against Macarthur’s appeal to have the remainder of his lucrative contract paid out, which would have seen him secure more than $800,000 if successful.

However, due to a CAS rule change in 2010 making counterclaims inadmissible, it was dismissed.

In a letter sent to Yorke’s agent, Lou Sticca, less than 24 hours after the dressing room incident, Macarthur said the coach would be stood down immediately pending an inquiry into “his behaviour in a number of post-game incidents” and banned from attending club facilities and contacting players, club officials and staff.

The PSC found there was no evidence Yorke had received any warnings or been subject to any disciplinary action before his sacking. However, it did find that Yorke was partly responsible for his termination and reduced his compensation as a result.

Yorke’s appointment as Macarthur coach was his first managing role since retiring from a playing career that included stints at Manchester United and Aston Villa in the English Premier League, and 20 years representing Trinidad and Tobago in international football. He played a key role in helping Manchester United secure the coveted Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League treble in 1999.

Yorke brought the A-League significant publicity when he was signed as Sydney FC’s marquee player for the league’s inaugural 2005/06 season, when the Sky Blues were crowned champions.

His appointment as Macarthur coach attracted similar levels of media attention.

Image: The Macarthur FC coach Dwight Yorke looks on during the match between Wanderers and Macarthur at Sydney's CommBank Stadium on 1st January 2023. Credit: Shutterstock.