The claim, which was tabled under the "Training and Compensation Rule," applies to players under the age of 23 who opt to move to other clubs following the completion of their contracts.

Stewart, who joined the Brandywell club this time last season - during the opening of the July Transfer Window - arrived at the Brandywell as a "free agent" as Derry City claimed that the Belfast 'Blues' failed to offer the player written terms by registered mail three months before his contract expired.

Linfield's case was taken up by the Irish Football Association and, it's understood, argued the case that Stewart had been offered new terms - although he didn't receive those terms by registered post. In addition, given that Derry City did not play within the jurisdiction of the IFA, such a move was outside the rules.

The IFA also argued that under the ruling, Stewart's move to another jurisdiction increased Linfield's claim for training compensation to E45,000 for each of the two years the player had been "developed" by the 'Blues'.

However, before offering the player a contract, Derry sought clarification from the FAI having been made aware that written terms of a new contract had not been received by Stewart within three months of the end of his Linfield contract.

In fact, Derry chairman, Mr. Pat McDaid, who handled the controversial affair, had learned from previous mistakes at Board level when former winger, Killian Brennan, signed for Bohemians on a free as Derry, while having offered the teenager written terms, failed to send the offer to him by registered post, allowing the Dalymount Park club to claim him without a transfer fee.

"Black and White" Issue
Clearly delighted with FIFA's adjudication on the matter, Mr. McDaid, felt the situation had always been "back and white" as far as he was concerned, but once the IFA intervened and made a claim amounting to E90,000, he obviously became worried.

"We now feel totally vindicated having received a communication from FIFA in relation to Linfield's appeal," he said. "Linfield, however, have 10 days to appeal the decision, but I've always felt that we conducted our business honourably and professionally.

"We felt confident that the procedures had been followed, but I always had a worry at the back of my mind that we missed something. When another club claims E90,000 compensation - quite a large sum of money - it certainly puts added pressure on you, even if you are 100 per cent certain that the signing of the player had been done correctly and within the rules.

"This has been going on now for a year and yes, it was a great relief to read FIFA's decision on the matter which vindicates our position. Hopefully, this will be the end of it and the dark cloud, which had been hovering over our heads for the past year, has now gone," added the chairman.

"The club had received no shortage of contact from members of the Press in relation to the situation but having opted to stand firm on the matter, we refused to comment, suggesting that the matter had been placed in the hands of our legal advisors. We refused to conduct our business through the Press and Media and let FIFA decide.

"Other clubs could have opted to conduct private negotiations with Linfield behind the scenes to agree a fee, even though they believed they were in the right. Thankfully, I believe we made the right call and I'm hopeful that the matter has now come to an end."

Mr. McDaid also praised and thanked former Irish international senior team boss, Eoin Hand who, he said, had been a major help when seeking advice on the matter.

"Eoin has been very helpful to us and, thanks to his experience, guidance and advice on these matters, we remained convinced that we had done nothing wrong and, thankfully, that's the way it has worked out."