Ange Postecoglou has issued a stern wake-up call to Gold Coast United and called on billionaire Clive Palmer to stop putting his interests ahead of the young footballers signed to the club.
Ange Postecoglou has issued a stern wake-up call to Gold Coast United and called on billionaire Clive Palmer to stop putting his interests ahead of the young footballers signed to the club.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) announced on Wednesday that United’s Hyundai A-League licence had been revoked, following a series of code breaches and public attacks from owner Palmer.
Queensland’s richest man has vowed to fight the decision at the highest levels of the Australian justice system and it is still unconfirmed as to whether or not United will see out their final four games of the 2011-12 season.
On Thursday, Brisbane Roar coach Postecoglou was scathing in his analysis of the ongoing saga, implying that Palmer and the club were putting their egos ahead of the best interests and livelihoods of their contracted players.
“If people are prepared to put the competition at stake, as Gold Coast have done, I’ve got no time for them,” said Postecoglou.
“If people want to go to courts … I’ve got zero interest.”
“Let the players play, let the competition end and whatever issues you may have, sort them out when they should be sorted out.”
“FFA run the game. At some point in time you’ve got to respect the organisation that runs the game.”
Postecoglou has a track record of neutrality on A-League matters involving opposition clubs, but the highly-respected Roar boss said he had no problem offering his perspective when the interests of the code and competition were being put at stake.
And as a major proponent for youth development in Australian football, carried over from years as an underage representative coach, Postecoglou spoke strongly against the opportunities being denied the United squad, who have scored draws with Melbourne Victory and Central Coast since Mike Mulvey took over the head coaching position.
“Clive Palmer all along has said he’s got some great young kids. Well I suggest he thinks about those young kids because I think they’ve done a fantastic job the last two weeks, and unfortunately it’s been buried,” Postecoglou said.
“No-one’s talking about the players on the weekend or their coach. They were talking about some stupid message that was trying to be sent out.”
“There are some outstanding young players that I think have been cheated by their own club.”
