Football Confidential: Socceroos big names could miss Copa America

The Socceroos are likely to have to do without the likes of Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan for their Copa America adventure later this year with European clubs set to play hardball over availability.

There’s a chances Brighton’s Socceroos stars Aaron Mooy (left) and Mat Ryan will have to sit out the Copa America. Picture: Hollie Adams

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The coronavirus was already starting to cause headaches for the A-League teams in the Asian Champions League – now the Copa America could cause issues, too.

FIFA rules mean that no club outside Australia is obliged to release its Socceroos players for the South American showpiece tournament, which Australia and Qatar have been invited to play in this year.

And that could mean a largely A-League-supplied defence in green and gold taking on the likes of Messi, Suarez etc.

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Brighton’s Socceroos stars Aaron Mooy (left) and Mat Ryan could miss the Copa America.

Because the South American tournament isn’t strictly in a FIFA window, only countries from the host confederation can insist on calling up players – for the invited nations there’s no such protection.

A-League clubs, though, have to release players whenever FFA says so. So unless Socceroos boss Graham Arnold can produce a number of diplomatic masterstrokes and talk European and Asian clubs round, you can bet your bottom dollar that most players will be leant upon to give it a miss.

The prospect of, say, Brighton boss Graham Potter agreeing to players such as Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan playing in a tournament after 60-something games in the EPL, and returning late to pre-season after their obligatory four weeks off, is remote.

FFA could follow Sydney’s lead

Sydney FC’s likely move to a whole-of-club base at Macquarie University could have an interesting ripple effect at the very top of the sport.

We hear that Football Federation Australia is scoping out the possibility of leaving its current offices at No 1 Oxford St, where the 22nd floor outlook feels a bit like new CEO James Johnson’s description of FFA living in an ivory tower.

New FFA boss James Johnson. Picture: AAP

One option that has been discussed is to be part of the development at Sydney Olympic Park, where a host of new buildings will be built in the precinct around ANZ Stadium.

NSWRL has already made its base there, along with other sports, and there is the potential for establishing a home of football.

But Sydney FC’s choice of Macquarie University opens up a suite of offices in the rebuilt Allianz Stadium that had been earmarked for the Sky Blues’ administration, and they are also likely to be available as an option for FFA.

What were they thinking?

With friends like these … FFA’s “official betting partner”, Bet365, put out a spectacularly ill-judged joke on social media on Thursday, about the A-League celebrating empty stadiums.

How to make friends and influence football fans, hey guys?

Good news spreading fast

Fantastic to see Jets striker Kaine Sheppard is spreading his sensory room initiative to a national level.

As The Daily Telegraph reported last week, Sheppard has hosted a room at every Jets home game for children with autism to be able to attend matches without feeling overwhelmed.

He held one at Melbourne City last weekend, and now he will also host one at the Matildas game on Friday night at McDonald Jones stadium.

Kaine Sheppard has hosted autism sensory rooms at Jets games and at Melbourne City.

We hear there could be similar developments at Socceroos games later this year, too, as Sheppard expands his KS Foundation. Bravo to all involved.

Roar showing the way

Getting into the right-sized stadiums is a key part of the A-League’s plans to get the atmosphere back, and we hear Brisbane Roar are poised for a big win in that regard.

Club officials have been in talks over playing a lot more games next year at Dolphin Stadium, where extra seating is being installed.

The Roar players love it compared with the cavernous emptiness of Suncorp Stadium, and hopes are high that discussions will reach a fruitful end.

The Roar love playing at the compact Dolphin Stadium.

Originally published as Football Confidential: Socceroos big names could miss Copa America