Controversial Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan told a court he was bored of giving evidence during cross- examination today.

But barrister Michael McParland blamed Mr Jordan for the sluggish pace of proceedings, arguing the mobile phone tycoon "talked almost incessantly" rather than answer questions.

During the grilling Mr Jordan also admitted criticising the Eagles squad, referring to the team as a "shambles" and lacking "b*****s", labelling individual players "cowards", a "waste of money", "insecure" and "not a winner".

Palace are suing former Eagles manager Iain Dowie for £1million accusing him of "fraudulent misrepresentations" after leaving the side last summer and opting to join the team's bitter rivals Charlton Athletic.

Mr Dowie had a clause in his contract stating if he left to join a new club his new bosses would pay Palace £1million compensation.

But Mr Jordan said he waived the clause because he thought Mr Dowie was leaving Crystal Palace to be closer to his family in Bolton.

The court heard how Mr Dowie, who guided the side to a Premiership position in 2004, had been left "distraught" following a one hour 26 minute phone call in May 2006, the day after Palace lost to Watford in the Championship play-off semi-final.

Mr McParland put it to Mr Jordan that he had delivered his former manager a "slap in the face" when he scrapped his free flights back to the north of England during the telephone conversation.

He also told him he was not prepared to invest £250,000 in a new gym that Mr Dowie wanted at the club's training ground.

However, Mr Jordan said funding the gym was a business decision and he had withdrawn the flights because Mr Dowie did not "appreciate" the privilege. Although he admitted the timing was "slightly clumsy", he said it was not a "punishment".

Mr Jordan also denied dabbling in team affairs, and said he saw nothing wrong with his request that he watch videos of matches with Mr Dowie.

He said: "In my seven years (as chairman) I have never told the manager what team he should pick."

He explained that he had asked to watch the videos so he could "understand" how Mr Dowie saw games, and believed it a reasonable request as he was paying his wages.

The case, in which Mr Jordan is due to finish giving evidence tomorrow, continues.