Hyundai A-League chief Lyall Gorman says he is confident FFA can reach an agreement with the Gold Coast players to complete the season and maintain the integrity of the competition.
Hyundai A-League chief Lyall Gorman says he is confident FFA can reach an agreement with the Gold Coast players to complete the season and maintain the integrity of the competition.
In the wake of FFA’s stunning decision to revoke maverick billionaire Clive Palmer’s Hyundai A-League license, Gorman landed on the Gold Coast on Wednesday for rush talks with players’ union representatives.
The bottom-placed club still has four matches to play this season – and all are against teams who are currently in the top six.
Already, United’s away trip to third-placed Wellington Phoenix on Sunday is at threat of postponement.
After that, they are scheduled to travel to face the Newcastle Jets before hosting fourth-placed Perth Glory and second-placed Brisbane Roar at Skilled Park in the final two weeks of the regular season.
While he and the rest of FFA hierarchy are scrambling for a solution, the Hyundai A-League chief conceded that the possibility of United forfeiting their last four games still exists.
“We’re very determined to avoid that at all costs,” he said.
“The major priority at the moment is to complete the end of the season for the sake of the players and of the opposing teams,” Gorman said.
“Competition points are very relevant and you want to see a competition that’s full of integrity.”
“What form that takes in terms of legal agreements, we’ll have to sit down and discuss that with the (players’ union) representatives here, Joel Porter and Glen Moss.”
Gorman said he has already spoken with the club’s captain, Michael Thwaite, who is in Melbourne on Socceroos duty, as well as caretaker coach Mike Mulvey.
“We’ll work in conjunction with the PFA and come up with a format that will be satisfactory to the players. We have our own legal team up here to explore all the options,” he added.
Gorman said he anticipates the players themselves will be keen to nut out an agreement.
“It’s in their interests as well. They play football, it’s their professional responsibility,” he said.
“I have no doubt they’ll want to continue playing football to honour their commitments and put themselves in the shop window for the future.”
