The Cercle des Nageurs de Melun Val de Seine (CN Melun), via legal firm Frédérik-Karel Canoy, has lodged a fresh civil claim against 'X' - the term being used to describe Laure Manaudou and her former coach Philippe Lucas - for the return of funds.

The claim refers to "a cheque for euros 20,000 signed to the benefit of Manaudou, and two others for euros 20,000 and 5,000 to the benefit of Lucas", according to news reporters in France. The action appears to be a repeat of the claim originally lodged with the Melun court last August, which attracted no response from 'X'.

'We do not wish to take action that is aimed directly at Lucas and Manaudou,' said Frédéric Brion, president of the Melun swim club. 'But we do want the club to survive.' The implication is that survival depends on the return of euros 45,000 paid to two people who left the club before the club believed they should under the understanding that accompanied the money.

There was no response from Didier Poulmaire, Manaudou's lawyer, while Lucas, who will release his autobiography next week, called the accusations against him "serious" but denied that there had been any wrongdoing. He described the swimmer's money as funds due for 18 months of work and results, while his euros 25,000 consisted of two elements: a euros 5,000 bonus for results at Athens 2004, promised, he said, by the federation but unclaimed until Lucas decided to leave Melun, and euros 20,000 in bonuses agreed with the club and delivered on delivery of results. He added: 'Each year, I bought new equipment, like exercise machines, with my bonus money and I often paid for that material in advance ... on that basis, they owed me euros 80,000 by the time I left ... I've got nothing to reproach myself for. I'm at peace.'