Matt 1Socceroos Bound Home
October 24th 2006 02:13
Chris John Abbott-
I was interested to read yesterday that Socceroo defender Craig Moore has expressed an interest to finish his career in Australia, with A-League side Queensland Roar being his preference.
Moore stated that no side from Australia had contacted him and that if he could not find a way back home he would finish his career in the lucrative leagues of the Middle East.
A report on Fox sports website revealed that clubs in the A-League are hesitant to tie up contracts with Aussie stars as their contracts dwarf those of home based players.
This seems to be a massive problem, if in future years we miss out on seeing our biggest stars, fail to finish their careers in the fledgling A-League competition.
I would propose that the A-League make an amendment that allows clubs to receive financial backing to sign big name Australian stars outside of the salary cap. Sponsors would surely be keen given the greater interest and publicity it would generate around their team and product.
The AFA already has a “marquee” player, whose contract is removed from the salary cap, I think there could be room for an international contract clause that could pardon a players wage if he has represented Australia X amount of times.
This would allow all big name players to return home and strengthen our new league and create more interest. It would be a real shame for the competition and for all sports fans, if Moore and players like Skoko and Viduka whose contracts expire the following year are forced to look elsewhere to wind down their careers.
It remains to be seen what action the AFA will take but thus far they have made all the right decisions and it would be no surprise to see the AFA delivering new and improved measures to guarantee this league prospers.
I was interested to read yesterday that Socceroo defender Craig Moore has expressed an interest to finish his career in Australia, with A-League side Queensland Roar being his preference.
Moore stated that no side from Australia had contacted him and that if he could not find a way back home he would finish his career in the lucrative leagues of the Middle East.
A report on Fox sports website revealed that clubs in the A-League are hesitant to tie up contracts with Aussie stars as their contracts dwarf those of home based players.
This seems to be a massive problem, if in future years we miss out on seeing our biggest stars, fail to finish their careers in the fledgling A-League competition.
I would propose that the A-League make an amendment that allows clubs to receive financial backing to sign big name Australian stars outside of the salary cap. Sponsors would surely be keen given the greater interest and publicity it would generate around their team and product.
The AFA already has a “marquee” player, whose contract is removed from the salary cap, I think there could be room for an international contract clause that could pardon a players wage if he has represented Australia X amount of times.
This would allow all big name players to return home and strengthen our new league and create more interest. It would be a real shame for the competition and for all sports fans, if Moore and players like Skoko and Viduka whose contracts expire the following year are forced to look elsewhere to wind down their careers.
It remains to be seen what action the AFA will take but thus far they have made all the right decisions and it would be no surprise to see the AFA delivering new and improved measures to guarantee this league prospers.
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Comment by Hugo