Melbourne Victory defend Keisuke Honda’s Cambodia commitment

Victory coach Kevin Muscat reveals new signing Keisuke Honda will travel regularly as part of a deal to coach Cambodia.

New Melbourne signing Keisuke Honda and Victory coach Kevin Muscat. Picture: AAP

Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat says the club was aware of new signing Keisuke Honda’s involvement with the Cambodian national team but is adamant it won’t compromise his commitment to the club for the coming A-League season.

Honda fronted the media for the first time in Melbourne today following his decision to link with the A-League champions as a marquee in a deal reportedly worth $3.9 million.

One of the key questions revolved around the recent announcement that he will be general manager/coach of the Cambodian national team - a decision that appears to be in opposition with the Asian Football Confederation statues regarding conflict of interest.

Honda confirmed he had signed with Cambodia and told Japanese media who attended the press conference that he will likely travel there every two or three months.

Under Article 3 in the AFC statutes: “Any person receiving numeration by virtue of a contract from a Member Association or any of its clubs shall not be entitled to accept work in return for renumeration with another Member Association at the same time.”

Muscat said the club had been kept informed constantly about the situation.

“Throughout the discussions with Keisuke, his management and his brother, they were completely open and honest with his motivations and plans in the future,” Muscat said.

“The long and the short of it is that his priorities are here with Melbourne Victory and the situation will no way compromise any of our games or training.”

Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro added that everything was above board and that there were no concerns with the AFC.

“We don’t have any issues. Whatever the arrangements, what was needed has been worked through and we are quite comfortable,” Di Pietro said.

Honda said he had been approached four months ago by Cambodia and is happy to do the job and that it will have no impact on his role at Victory.

“It was about four months ago I spoke to the Cambodian Association. I asked them may I become manager of the national team at the same time I am player and they said yes,” Honda explained.

“I asked them weird questions but that is me ... I always try anything, that’s why it happened.

“Lucky this club understands my situation and respects my activities.”