Fulham take Sir David Richards fight to Court of Appeal

Richards stepped down as Sheffield Wednesday chairman in February 2000

Fulham have taken their fight to oust Sir David Richards as Premier League chairman to the Court of Appeal with a decision set to be made in arbitration.

The Cottagers have been seeking to have Richards banned after accusing him of scuppering their attempt to sign Peter Crouch in July 2009.

Mr Justice Vos granted Richards a stay on the legal action against him, but allowed the club leave to appeal.

Fulham confirmed on Wednesday that they would be contesting the decision.

In granting the Premier League and Richards application of a stay, Mr Justice Vos said in his judgement: "The arbitrators will have adequate powers to deal with Fulham's complaint properly, fairly and satisfactorily."

The club claim Richards interfered with their bid to buy Crouch, who ended up joining Tottenham for £9m, £2m less than Fulham were reportedly willing to pay.

Richards allegedly intervened because Spurs were prepared to offer Portsmouth £9m up front at a time when the south-coast club's very existence was under threat, while Fulham were thought to be planning to pay in instalments.