Despite being suspended by the club, the Cork City 'six' have continued to train with the club this week. They were suspended by the club for their part in last week's press conference, at which they said they would refuse to play for Cork City as long as owner Tom Coughlan is involved with the club.

Many of last year's squad as well as new players, office staff and coach Tommy Dunne were present at the press conference where players led by captain Dan Murray said they were "disillusioned, demoralised and undermined" by Tom Coughlan's running of the club.

The six, captain Dan Murray, Dan Connor, Danny Murphy, Stephen O'Donnell, Paul Deasy and Mark McNulty have continued to train under manager Roddy Collins despite being issued with the suspension by club general manager Liam Meaney.

It was claimed at the press conference that players had not been paid since November 2009 and the club doctor had not been paid in two years. Solicitor John Boylan who was representing the group said two players had been evicted from their rented accommodation because they couldn't pay bills due to non-payment of wages owed to them.

The group also said they were "fed-up with the constant conflicts with the FAI" and "the vast majority of the club wants Tom Coughlan to cut all ties with the club". Murray said he had his "worst Christmas" ever due to not being paid for over two months. He added he felt he was victimised by the chairman for standing up for the players. "Every single promise he made was a lie. He was lying to my face," he said in relation to wage agreements signed by Coughlan, which were not honoured.

Mr Boylan added that Coughlan's resignation as chairman of the club was only a "cosmetic" measure and reiterated he should walk away from the club completely. It was also claimed that some players had to access a special hardship fund set up by supporters group FORAS (Friends Of the Rebel Army Society) for players to use if they needed to. "The players who did use it felt very bad and demeaned. It was very hard for the players to have to ask for the money," said Mr Boylan.

The club were quick to hit back and when the players showed up for City's pre-season friendly with Crosshaven last Friday night they were told they would not be involved in the game, after the match they were informed they were being suspended and fined two weeks' wages for breach of contract.

Coughlan is said to be trying to complete the handing over of the club to a consortium headed by the Quintas Group, and it's intended that the new owners will be in control by the weekend.

Club Secretary Gerry Harris told the Cork Independent that they are still in the dark as to the takeover bid. "We have heard nothing about the takeover. Hopefully the sale is imminent. The players have been training away but for the club to progress we need this sorted, the club is suffering otherwise," he said.

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