Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan has issued a writ against former manager Iain Dowie, accusing him of "fraudulently" obtaining a release from a £1million compensation clause in his contract.

Dowie was appointed as Alan Curbishley's replacement at Charlton today, prompting a furious response from Jordan. The Palace chief believes he had reassurances from Dowie that he only wanted to leave the club to be closer to his family who still live in the north west.

"If he's under the impression he can leg me over in the way he has done, then he's sadly mistaken," Jordan told Sky Sports News.

A court representative tried to serve the writ on Dowie at today's press conference confirming his appointment at The Valley but was prevented from doing so.

Jordan added: "My football club waived compensation because he wanted to go back to the north.
I released him from a £1million compensation clause because he said he wasn't going to do what he's done.

"I'll prove it to the High Court. Iain Dowie had a £1million compensation clause in his contract and there is no reason why I would take that out unless it was as a gesture of goodwill. My repayment for that is for Iain to do exactly what he said he was not going to do."

Dowie, however, has publicly said he wanted to leave Selhurst Park for a "new challenge". The former Northern Ireland international insisted that, prior to leaving Palace, no discussions had taken place with Charlton.

"Not at all," said Dowie. "The first conversation I had with Charlton was two days after. I found them very enthusiastic and I was one of several people they interviewed."

Dowie revealed Charlton's "history of being stable" had been part of the Valley's appeal with Curbishley lasting 15 seasons in charge before leaving at the end of the Premiership campaign.

"It's a job which doesn't come up too often," said Dowie. "Charlton has a fantastic reputation I think it's been earned over the years. It's a special place to work because they have got a history of being stable."

He added: "I just think it was time for a new challenge."

Charlton chairman Richard Murray was delighted to get his man, and admitted Dowie might not have become available had Palace not conceded a late equaliser to the Addicks in the last match of the 2004-05 season.

"If Jonathan Fortune hadn't got that goal before the end I probably wouldn't be sitting here and Iain would be considered a legend at Crystal Palace," said Murray. "We're really excited about him joining."

Dowie would not be drawn into a war of words with his former chairman but insisted he had acted properly. Dowie told Sky Sports News: "I'm not going to let it sour a good day for me.

"If that is what he feels then that is what he feels but it totally misrepresents the conversation I had with Simon and, to be fair, my wife witnessed two hours of it.

"I know I've got an agreement at home which says it was by mutual consent and I can live with myself, I can look him in the eye so that is all I can do. As long as I can cover myself in the right way and that is all I ever worried about.

"I'm here to talk about Charlton - this is a club that is doing a lot of great things including investing in African countries to set up a player conveyor belt. (There is) Also fantastic investment in the training ground and what my plans for the club are and we are talking about something that is unnecessary."

The former Oldham boss refused to comment on Jordan's claims he had been dishonest in getting out of his Palace contract.

"Anyone that knows me.... I won't bother commenting on it because that is what he wants."