Iain Dowie faces huge legal bill

Iain Dowie was appointed Charlton boss after leaving Palace

Iain Dowie has been ordered to pay Crystal Palace's legal costs after losing a court battle with his former football club.

The club's legal bill is estimated to be £400,000 and Mr Dowie's own legal bill is thought to be similar.

A court ruled Mr Dowie deceived the club into waiving a £1m compensation clause when he left in May 2006.

The question of whether the club is still owed £1m or another amount will be decided later this year.

Mr Dowie's lawyers said he will challenge the judgement and the costs order made against him.

Last week, Mr Justice Tugendhat found the former Palace manager lied when he negotiated his way out of his contract with the club and joined arch-rivals Charlton.

When he left Palace, Mr Dowie had told the club he had not contacted Charlton and had no present intention of joining them.

Mr Dowie's contract stated that if he left to join another club, Crystal Palace would receive £1m.