FANTA
10-03-2001, 04:52 AM
KEWELL WANTS APOLOGY
Soccer Australia is urging IEC, the promoters of November’s friendly international against France to apologise to Socceroo Harry Kewell in response to signs that Kewell may refuse to take part in the match.
Kewell’s lingering feud with IEC dates back more than two years to when Manchester United toured Australia for a couple of pre-season friendlies.
At the time, IEC suggested that Kewell was refusing to represent the Socceroos unless he was paid appearance money.
This was denied by a Kewell management representative, Bernie Mandic.
Soccer Australia wants the matter resolved immediately.
“It’s a big issue and I have told them (IEC) it’s in their commercial interest to apologise to Harry Kewell,” Soccer Australia Chairman Ian Knop told Fairfax.
Whether or not Kewell plays against France at the MCG on November 11, it will not affect his availability in the following week or so for Australia’s World Cup qualifiers against the fifth-placed South Americans.
Kewell is understood to be keen to be involved – though from a preparation viewpoint, the France game is a significant part of coach Frank Farina’s build-up.
THE FUED CONTINUES
Harry Kewell's availability for November's friendly against France is still in doubt after a brokered meeting between his manager and promoters IEC failed to end their long-standing feud.
Socceroos coach Frank Farina organised the meeting in another bid to see the parties end their differences and so ensure there was no barriers to Kewell's participation in the friendly international and the crucial final World Cup qualifiers later that month.
Kewell is considering boycotting the France game in November because of the feud with Dominic Galati, one of the promoters of the match.
Kewell wants a public apology from Galati over allegations he demanded appearance money for the Socceroos' matches against Manchester United two years ago - claims the Leeds midfielder vehemently denies.
The meeting between representatives from Galati's company IEC and Kewell's Australian agent Bernie Mandic in Sydney failed to entice an apology from Galati.
"All I can say is we're doing what we're doing," IEC boss Berti Mariani said.
"There's nothing we can publicise at the moment. It's been raised and we're talking about it."
Farina said he would pick Kewell in his squad for the France game on November 11 and the World Cup qualifiers against the fifth-placed South American team later that month.
But the Socceroos coach made it clear that if Kewell didn't play in the France game, he would jeopardise his chances of playing in the World Cup matches.
"I think it's been blown out of proportion to be honest," Farina said of the row.
"It's obviously something between Harry and IEC that they need to sort out soon.
"I'm going to pick Harry in my squad for those games and I expect he'll play.
"The whole purpose of the France game is to get us ready for the South American game.
"The team that takes the park against France is more than likely to be the team that plays in the World Cup game."
Farina is also concerned that FIFA will push the deadline for the completion of the World Cup playoff back from November 25 to suit the fifth-placed South American team.
Uruguay has already asked FIFA to push the date back, as it doesn't finish its South American qualifiers until November 14.
"It's just frustrating more than anything. I'm thinking that they will extend the date," Farina said.
"I'm hoping FIFA stick by what they've said originally, but I'm not holding my breath - let's put it that way."
KEWELL GETS APOLOGY
The bitter feud that threatened Harry Kewell's Socceroo appearance against France in November is finally over.
Following discussions between the Leeds United star's management and IEC, both parties confirm the resolution of the apparent misunderstanding that has persisted between the parties since the Manchester United tour played in Australia in July 1999.
Dominic Galati, Managing Director of IEC, said in a statement released by Soccer Australia: "Unfortunately, certain things reported with respect to Harry’s availability for the Manchester United matches were misinterpreted by the media.
"On my part, I would like to apologise to Harry for any inconvenience this misunderstanding may have inadvertently caused. I have only the highest regard for Harry and his achievements and I am glad this is now behind us."
In response Bernie Mandic, Kewell’s manager, added: "This now closes a chapter of the past that has caused confusion in some Australian soccer circles, and now allows everyone to focus on achieving one thing in November – qualification for the next World Cup."
with kewell's attitude i would'nt of cared if he played with us or not but now it looks like he's gonna. he's just all about the $$$ and the fame and dosen't care about his country.
now he better take us to japan/korea or else !!!
Soccer Australia is urging IEC, the promoters of November’s friendly international against France to apologise to Socceroo Harry Kewell in response to signs that Kewell may refuse to take part in the match.
Kewell’s lingering feud with IEC dates back more than two years to when Manchester United toured Australia for a couple of pre-season friendlies.
At the time, IEC suggested that Kewell was refusing to represent the Socceroos unless he was paid appearance money.
This was denied by a Kewell management representative, Bernie Mandic.
Soccer Australia wants the matter resolved immediately.
“It’s a big issue and I have told them (IEC) it’s in their commercial interest to apologise to Harry Kewell,” Soccer Australia Chairman Ian Knop told Fairfax.
Whether or not Kewell plays against France at the MCG on November 11, it will not affect his availability in the following week or so for Australia’s World Cup qualifiers against the fifth-placed South Americans.
Kewell is understood to be keen to be involved – though from a preparation viewpoint, the France game is a significant part of coach Frank Farina’s build-up.
THE FUED CONTINUES
Harry Kewell's availability for November's friendly against France is still in doubt after a brokered meeting between his manager and promoters IEC failed to end their long-standing feud.
Socceroos coach Frank Farina organised the meeting in another bid to see the parties end their differences and so ensure there was no barriers to Kewell's participation in the friendly international and the crucial final World Cup qualifiers later that month.
Kewell is considering boycotting the France game in November because of the feud with Dominic Galati, one of the promoters of the match.
Kewell wants a public apology from Galati over allegations he demanded appearance money for the Socceroos' matches against Manchester United two years ago - claims the Leeds midfielder vehemently denies.
The meeting between representatives from Galati's company IEC and Kewell's Australian agent Bernie Mandic in Sydney failed to entice an apology from Galati.
"All I can say is we're doing what we're doing," IEC boss Berti Mariani said.
"There's nothing we can publicise at the moment. It's been raised and we're talking about it."
Farina said he would pick Kewell in his squad for the France game on November 11 and the World Cup qualifiers against the fifth-placed South American team later that month.
But the Socceroos coach made it clear that if Kewell didn't play in the France game, he would jeopardise his chances of playing in the World Cup matches.
"I think it's been blown out of proportion to be honest," Farina said of the row.
"It's obviously something between Harry and IEC that they need to sort out soon.
"I'm going to pick Harry in my squad for those games and I expect he'll play.
"The whole purpose of the France game is to get us ready for the South American game.
"The team that takes the park against France is more than likely to be the team that plays in the World Cup game."
Farina is also concerned that FIFA will push the deadline for the completion of the World Cup playoff back from November 25 to suit the fifth-placed South American team.
Uruguay has already asked FIFA to push the date back, as it doesn't finish its South American qualifiers until November 14.
"It's just frustrating more than anything. I'm thinking that they will extend the date," Farina said.
"I'm hoping FIFA stick by what they've said originally, but I'm not holding my breath - let's put it that way."
KEWELL GETS APOLOGY
The bitter feud that threatened Harry Kewell's Socceroo appearance against France in November is finally over.
Following discussions between the Leeds United star's management and IEC, both parties confirm the resolution of the apparent misunderstanding that has persisted between the parties since the Manchester United tour played in Australia in July 1999.
Dominic Galati, Managing Director of IEC, said in a statement released by Soccer Australia: "Unfortunately, certain things reported with respect to Harry’s availability for the Manchester United matches were misinterpreted by the media.
"On my part, I would like to apologise to Harry for any inconvenience this misunderstanding may have inadvertently caused. I have only the highest regard for Harry and his achievements and I am glad this is now behind us."
In response Bernie Mandic, Kewell’s manager, added: "This now closes a chapter of the past that has caused confusion in some Australian soccer circles, and now allows everyone to focus on achieving one thing in November – qualification for the next World Cup."
with kewell's attitude i would'nt of cared if he played with us or not but now it looks like he's gonna. he's just all about the $$$ and the fame and dosen't care about his country.
now he better take us to japan/korea or else !!!