A-League and W-League clubs put on notice regarding players training and trialling without contracts

A precedent could be set after a player trialling with Central Coast reportedly took legal action against the club for failing to pay him for three months worth of training he did with them.

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Australian players union boss John Didulica says players trialling full-time with A-League and W-League clubs without a contract is a “dangerous cocktail”.

A precedent could be set after Central Coast Mariners A-League trial player Mark Moric, 19, reportedly took legal action against the club after training there for almost four months without pay.

“What we are seeing are the needs of clubs – in boosting their youth ranks – and the desperation of players to secure professional contracts coalescing into a pretty dangerous cocktail,” said Professional Footballers Australia chief executive Didulica.

“It’s becoming a perilous area for clubs and players given the legal uncertainty around the status of trial players.

“The clubs have two choices: one, employ the players under a professional contract pursuant to the standard playing contract, or two, recognise and respect the players are undertaking the sport as an amateur pursuit with extra-curricular commitments including education and other part-time work.

“We need to build a better system than what is currently in place.”

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Adelaide Comets and Adelaide United youth do battle during a Premier League clash in July. Picture: AAP Image/Keryn Stevens

The Advertiser understands some youth league squad players without professional contracts earn about $70 a week and are training full-time with A-League squads.

Some females without contracts are training with W-League squads for free.

Under the current agreement clubs can pay youth male league players outside A-League contracts a maximum of $110 per week.

“Adelaide United’s elite football programs, both male and female, all operate within FFA’s regulatory framework, which mirrors what is standard practice globally,’’ Adelaide United football director Bruce Djite said.

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“We have a number of players not selected in our W-League program this season that are invited, voluntarily, to train when they are available to assist with their development in the future.

“Most of these players are part of the NTC (national training centre) program and we see them, in time, making the step into professional football.”

Reds young male players earn well below what Chinese midfielder Yongbin Chen receives as Adelaide’s latest visa player.

Chen should at the very least be on an A-League minimum salary of $64,113 (excluding superannuation).

New Adelaide United signing Yongbin Chen. Picture: Supplied

He is training with the club’s youth league team thus far.

And Australian soccer’s pay scale for males on youth league contracts searching for a dream A-League deal is well below the AFL’s minimum rookie wage allowance for uncontracted male players.

The AFL is believed to pay these players $500 to $600 a week plus living expenses, including accommodation.

Meanwhile, many of Adelaide’s players coming off contract have been locked in talks with football director Bruce Djite over the past two days.

Adelaide has about 12 players coming off contract.

Star winger Ben Halloran and at least six players have been targeted by interstate clubs with some on their radars for a potential transfer next month when the A-League’s transfer window opens.

Originally published as A-League and W-League clubs put on notice regarding players training and trialling without contracts