The Australian Professional Leagues declare Perth Glory have been a part of a “collective decision” to mortgage star midfielder Salim Khelifi to a rival A-League outfit regardless of the membership claiming it was “instructed” to permit the Tunisian worldwide to go away.
The A-League’s monetary woes proceed to have an effect on the Glory, who stay with out an proprietor after Tony Sage was stripped of the membership’s licence final yr.
The Perth membership is at the moment being propped up the APL, which runs the A-League.
Almost half of the APL’s 80-plus workers have been made redundant up to now week, and KeepUp, the APL’s digital media platform, is ready to be scrapped after $40 million was invested in it.
The struggling Glory – who had already been advised by the APL they may not deliver any gamers to the membership through the present switch window – launched a press release on Friday evening, saying it had been “instructed to offload Khelifi, who is set to join Melbourne Victory.
“I want to make it very clear to all our members, club partners and fans that this decision is neither the will, nor the want of the club,” Glory chief government officer Anthony Radich mentioned.
“It is a direct consequence of our inherited financial legacy, but that said, the outcome is still a very difficult one to accept on many levels.
“We understand the disappointment that this will bring to all our key stakeholders and furthermore, the significant impact it will have upon (coach) Alen Stajcic and his team as they look to drive forward into the second half of the season.”
However, the APL claimed Perth supported the choice, which was made to enhance the Glory’s books and make the membership a extra enticing proposition for potential homeowners.
Among these keen on securing the Glory licence is Melbourne property developer Ross Pelligra, who bankrolls Italian decrease division membership Catania.
“The (Glory) was placed into receivership some months ago,” an APL spokesman mentioned.
“During this process, the APL has been working closely with Perth Glory and receivers KordaMentha to secure strong new ownership to ensure the club’s long-term viability.
“All decisions are made collectively between Perth Glory, KordaMentha and the APL, including the sale of players.”
Meanwhile, kick-off time for Sunday’s A-League males’s conflict between Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne City in Gosford has been moved again to 6pm (AEDT) attributable to sizzling climate forecasts.
Source: www.news.com.au
