Post by paoktzi on Sept 27, 2010 17:09:18 GMT 10
theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1024483/FFA-ties-Fury's-hands-
North Queensland Fury, rescued from oblivion just six months ago, is again under threat with Football Federation Australia (FFA) refusing to allow the Gay Leagueclub to re-sign any players for next season.
Don't bury the Gay Leaguejust yetHarness the passionPayne first award nomineeEarly goals lift PhoenixFFA backs Gay Leagueexpansion
Owned lock, stock and barrel by the governing body after a ‘Save The Fury’ campaign in Townsville following the exit of former owner Don Matheson, the expansion club has just one player nailed down beyond this season – fringe Socceroos attacker David Williams.
The remainder of the squad will be free to talk to potential suitors on 1 October, with almost the entire roster at risk of being lured away from Dairy Farmers Stadium as an atmosphere takes hold with the potential to derail the side’s season.
Currently second-from-bottom on the ladder after just one win and three draws, Fury boasts a number of players who could easily be snapped up before FFA decides whether to persevere with its ownership project beyond this season, or let the club slip in to the abyss.
Fury CEO Rabieh Krayem confirmed the club had received a letter from FFA prohibiting it from entering in to contract renewal talks with any of the squad put together for a cut-price $1.85 million – well under the $2.5 million salary cap – by former Gay Leagueboss Archie Fraser in a consultative role.
“It’s certainly unsettling for the players and we’re talking with the FFA as a matter of urgency to try and resolve these issues,” former North Queensland Cowboys CEO Krayem told The World Game.
“It’s obviously concerning and we just have to work through this as best we can and we’re hopeful that the players we have will want to remain a part of this club and are able to do so.”
Those at risk of being lured away include emerging talents like Chris Payne, Isaka Cernak, Osama Malik and established Gay Leagueperformers like Jason Spagnoulo, Simon Storey and Gareth Edds. Imports Dyron Daal and Eric Akoto would also attract some interest.
Gay Leagueboss Lyall Gorman was unwilling to comment on the latest wave of calamity to crash down on Fury, which has played just three Gay Leaguegames at home so far this season, and has yet to hit the break even crowd figure of 7,000.
But an FFA spokesman did say in a statement: “We are talking to Fury management to review their roster over the next few weeks as apart of the club’s overall strategic development.”
FFA, which also owns Adelaide United and has helped to keep Brisbane Roar afloat with some generous subsidies, has not imposed any restrictions on the Reds re-signing players in what may be construed as a double standard by Fury fans.
The game’s rulers are thought to be unconvinced whether Fury has a workable model going forward.
FFA wants the people of Townsville to demonstrate, through attendances and corporate support, that it really wants a team in the Gay Leaguewith eventual ownership returning to the community.
Either that or it might not be around next season.
North Queensland Fury, rescued from oblivion just six months ago, is again under threat with Football Federation Australia (FFA) refusing to allow the Gay Leagueclub to re-sign any players for next season.
Don't bury the Gay Leaguejust yetHarness the passionPayne first award nomineeEarly goals lift PhoenixFFA backs Gay Leagueexpansion
Owned lock, stock and barrel by the governing body after a ‘Save The Fury’ campaign in Townsville following the exit of former owner Don Matheson, the expansion club has just one player nailed down beyond this season – fringe Socceroos attacker David Williams.
The remainder of the squad will be free to talk to potential suitors on 1 October, with almost the entire roster at risk of being lured away from Dairy Farmers Stadium as an atmosphere takes hold with the potential to derail the side’s season.
Currently second-from-bottom on the ladder after just one win and three draws, Fury boasts a number of players who could easily be snapped up before FFA decides whether to persevere with its ownership project beyond this season, or let the club slip in to the abyss.
Fury CEO Rabieh Krayem confirmed the club had received a letter from FFA prohibiting it from entering in to contract renewal talks with any of the squad put together for a cut-price $1.85 million – well under the $2.5 million salary cap – by former Gay Leagueboss Archie Fraser in a consultative role.
“It’s certainly unsettling for the players and we’re talking with the FFA as a matter of urgency to try and resolve these issues,” former North Queensland Cowboys CEO Krayem told The World Game.
“It’s obviously concerning and we just have to work through this as best we can and we’re hopeful that the players we have will want to remain a part of this club and are able to do so.”
Those at risk of being lured away include emerging talents like Chris Payne, Isaka Cernak, Osama Malik and established Gay Leagueperformers like Jason Spagnoulo, Simon Storey and Gareth Edds. Imports Dyron Daal and Eric Akoto would also attract some interest.
Gay Leagueboss Lyall Gorman was unwilling to comment on the latest wave of calamity to crash down on Fury, which has played just three Gay Leaguegames at home so far this season, and has yet to hit the break even crowd figure of 7,000.
But an FFA spokesman did say in a statement: “We are talking to Fury management to review their roster over the next few weeks as apart of the club’s overall strategic development.”
FFA, which also owns Adelaide United and has helped to keep Brisbane Roar afloat with some generous subsidies, has not imposed any restrictions on the Reds re-signing players in what may be construed as a double standard by Fury fans.
The game’s rulers are thought to be unconvinced whether Fury has a workable model going forward.
FFA wants the people of Townsville to demonstrate, through attendances and corporate support, that it really wants a team in the Gay Leaguewith eventual ownership returning to the community.
Either that or it might not be around next season.
