Mariners not panicked by Euro move for Usain Bolt

The Mariners are not buying into the speculation surrounding Usain Bolt’s European offer, declaring it is business as usual.

Usain Bolt hasn’t made his future known to the Mariners after another offer emerged. Picture: AAP

The Central Coast Mariners are not buying into the speculation surrounding Usain Bolt’s European offer, declaring it is business as usual for the eight-time Olympic gold medallist.

The Mariners now have some serious competition if they want to sign Bolt after Maltese champions Valletta confirmed yesterday they had approached the Jamaican superstar with an offer to join them immediately on a two-year, plus one-year option contract.

It has cast doubt about Bolt’s future with the Mariners. He has been trialling with the club since August in a bid to fulfil his dream of becoming a professional footballer.

Mariners chief executive Shaun Mielekamp could not throw any further light on the latest development.

“Usain Bolt will continue his indefinite training period with the Central Coast Mariners until any further notice,” Mielekamp said in a statement.

“The club will be making no comment on media speculation regarding the future of Usain Bolt. The full focus for the Mariners remains on our (A-League) round one away trip to face the Brisbane Roar.”

There are suggestions that the Bolt camp has been using the overseas interest in him as a ploy to force the Mariners into signing him. It has also been suggested it is being used to put extra pressure on Football Federation Australia to dip into their funds to top up a contract for him.

However, FFA chief executive David Gallop said on Monday that the head body will not use any of its marquee funds on him. Instead they want to use the money to try and attract world class players.

Gallop said they would look at other financial options, including sponsorships and broadcast arrangements if the Mariners decided to sign Bolt.

News of the overseas interest broke late on Monday after it was revealed that an unnamed European club had come in with an offer.

Valletta was unveiled as that club yesterday morning with managing director and chief executive Ghasston Slimen telling ESPN that they hoped to sign Bolt and planned to use him in their Maltese Super Cup match against Balzan FC, a club owned by millionaire Maltese-Australian Anton Tagliaferro, on December 13 if he accepts their lucrative offer.

“A champion is always welcome at Valletta FC, we believe nothing is impossible,” Slimen said.

The Valletta offer came about following Bolt’s two-goal performance in the Mariners trial match against a South Western Sydney select at Campbelltown Stadium last Friday. The club posted the video of the goals on Twitter and the interest exploded with more than six million views.

Valletta’s involvement is not to be scoffed at. They recently sold a 70 per cent stake in the club to a group of wealthy investors from Dubai. The consortium has big plans for the club, which has won 24 Maltese titles, 14 FA Cups and 11 Super Cups, and are looking to steer it into the Champions League.

The winner of the Maltese Premier League does not automatically qualify for the Champions League, instead they have to go through a series of qualifiers in order to make the main draw. They are currently third on the table, four points behind leaders Gzira.