Djite headhunted; A-League crisis talks; Reds face Wolves of England; Armiento founder of BOSA; FSA key message
A number of South Australian NPL visa players have been stranded in Adelaide by the coronavirus pandemic. All the latest news from SA soccer in 90 Minutes with Val Migliaccio.
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Adelaide United’s football director Bruce Djite has been earmarked for a gig at Football Federation Australia (FFA) headquarters under the new leadership of chief executive James Johnson.
A source claimed Djite has continually impressed many of FFA’s key decision makers during his time in the football director’s gig at the Reds.
Djite has been in the role since mid last year.
His polished presentation has attracted the attention of FFA as the body looks to reset during the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s understood Djite has also been targeted to take on a political role by a prominent party in the lead up to the 2022 state election.
FOREIGN PLAYERS STUCK IN SA
About a dozen of SA’s national premier league clubs’ visa players and many more players in State League 1 and 2 have been caught by the state’s closed border lockdown.
Blue Eagles attacking midfielder Yohei Matsumoto said he is surviving on working two days a week during the NPL shutdown which has been forecast until at least mid April.
Matsumoto is a food delivery driver.
“My family is all well in Japan, I have been training with another Japanese player and we just have to wait now,’’ Matsumoto said.
BUDGET CRISIS
A number of A-League clubs are in the process of asking players and staff to take drastic pay cuts, holidays or long service leave during the competition’s forced recess at least until April 22.
After FFA boss Johnson announced the postponement of the national competition on Tuesday, it’s understood many club chiefs are bracing for huge losses due to the hiatus.
Many club owners are pumping in up to $6 million per season into their respective clubs aside from the Fox Sports cash which covers the cost of the $3.2 million salary cap per club.
GET IN! 👊 3/4 of our @ALeague clubs are through to the 2nd round of the #UltimateQuaranTeam Cup! 🇦🇺
— E-League (@ELeagueAus) March 24, 2020
Well done @JesseD1996 (@CCMariners), @MouadZwed (@gomvfc) & @FUTWIZMarko (@SydneyFC) 💪#FIFA20 #FUT20 pic.twitter.com/c6DM1uscqZ
GOING DIGITAL
With the A-League knocked out for the time being the E-League is in full swing across the globe.
Adelaide United is participating in the #UltimateQuaranteamCup.
Adelaide lost its opening round 2-1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Central Coast beat Shamrock Rovers 2-1, Melbourne Victory beat Ipswich Town 4-3 and Sydney FC beat Barnsley 2-1.
BOSA TITLE
It might been seen as an eternity now but BOSA beating Brahma Lodge 5-3 in the SA amateur soccer league’s Alex Cichanowski Shield final at Hindmarsh Stadium on March 7 was a proud moment for Perth Glory’s Carlo Armiento’s father Ralph Armiento.
Ralph founded BOSA, the 2019 Saturday amateur league champion, 22 years ago.
“I’m still in the committee, we don’t pay and have never paid our players not like our opponents who paid their players,’’ Ralph said.
“BOSA are giant killers.”
FOOTBALL SA’S MESSAGE
Football SA chief executive Michael Carter issued a key message surrounding the well being of the state’s governing body to its players and stakeholders.
“We have acted swiftly to review expenses and manage the business,’’ Carter said.
“Importantly we are focused on returning to play in 2020 if permitted.
“Football South Australia staff have modelled a range of scenarios for return to play and if permitted we are very confident that we can manage the season accordingly.
“As promised last week we will be arranging a series of meetings that will take place early next week and details will be issued in the next two days.
“From a club perspective (an many of you would be doing this already) it is suggested that you contact your local government authority to discuss a freeze on venue related expenses including but not limited to rent/ground maintenance/water and electricity.”
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SA PLAYERS ABROAD
Brandon Borrello – Freiburg (Bundesliga): Postponed due to coronavirus pandemic
Alex Chidiac – Atletico Madrid (women’s Spanish Primera Division): Postponed due to coronavirus pandemic
Ben Garuccio – Hearts (Scottish Premier League): Postponed due to coronavirus pandemic returned to Melbourne
Awer Mabil – Midtjylland (Danish Super League): Postponed due to coronavirus pandemic
Craig Goodwin – Al-Wehda (Saudi Arabia Pro League): Postponed due to coronavirus pandemic
Andrew Marveggio – FK Bokelj (Montenegrin Second League): Postponed due to coronavirus pandemic
Tomas Maricic – Lampang (Thailand T-2): Postponed due to coronavirus pandemic