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Reports of Shane Smeltz looking at Gold Coast real estate have given the clearest indication yet that his transfer saga is well and truly over.
And while his new club Gold Coast United have not ruled out complaining to Football Federation Australia (FFA) over Wellington’s handling of Smeltz, they want to put “Shanegate” behind them.
But it has not stopped fresh accusations from the Wellington Phoenix.
Wellington believe they were painted as the bad guys after it emerged last week that they had accepted an offer from Turkish side Hacettepe for Smeltz, just as the Johnny Warren Medal winner was preparing to link with the Gold Coast.
Smeltz had agreed to a three-year deal with 2009-10 debutants Gold Coast but technically he is a Phoenix player until March 31.
However, the Gold Coast said the Turkish deal would not go ahead because they would not grant a release.
News that Smeltz may have been snatched away by a Turkish club from under the Gold Coast’s nose emerged last Monday as the Kiwi international scooped the pool at the A-League awards night in Sydney.
But Wellington CEO Tony Pignata claimed that he had told Smeltz’s agent Leo Karis about the initial Turkish offer on January 6 and spoke to Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg about a deal last Monday.
“We kept everyone in the loop over what was happening,” he told FourFourTwo website on Monday.
“We also have correspondence from the Turkish FA about the transfer.
“And Shane wanted to go.
“So we contacted everyone and we can prove that with emails and phone records.
“We have done what any other club would’ve done, we’re just the middlemen in this.”
Gold Coast CEO Clive Mensink had earlier questioned Wellington’s conduct over the Smeltz saga but on Monday wanted the matter “put to bed”.
“If we decide to go ahead with a complaint (to the FFA), we will probably do it discreetly and in-house – there won’t be anything public,” he told AAP.
“But the bottom line is Shane is locked in at the Gold Coast.
“He was here on the weekend looking at houses, so he’s right to go.”
Mensink said it was disappointing that the saga had taken the focus off Smeltz’s award-winning night last Monday.
“It was a time for Shane and his family to enjoy the rewards, but I think it was taken away from him a bit,” he said.
“But he’s a professional and he will get on with it.”
Mensink said Smeltz flew out of the Gold Coast on Sunday after looking at real estate on the tourist strip and was expected to move in next month.
“The issue between Tony and us is all over. It has been put to bed in our eyes,” he said.
“We are looking forward to getting competitive on the track, getting ready for the new season.”
Asked if he believed the saga had created a new A-League rivalry between the Gold Coast and Wellington, Mensink said: “I hope so – we need to bring in a bit of passion.
“Hopefully it can bring the people out when we play here and vice versa.”
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