Socceroo Jason Culina has reportedly lodged a multi-million dollar claim against Football Federation Australia for allegedly failing to ensure Culina was properly insured.
News Limited reports the players’ union served legal papers to the game’s governing body on Culina’s behalf on Thursday – a process which could net the midfielder up to $1.7 million.
Under current collective bargaining agreement, FFA has to ensure that insurance is in place to cover wages for at least two years in the event a player is injured.
But this was apparently not in place for Culina, who has been uninsured since he returned to play for Gold Coast in 2009.
Culina suffered a knee injury while playing for Australia in the Asian Cup in January this year, before signing a three-year deal worth $850,000 a season with Newcastle in February.
As a result of the existing injury, Newcastle were unable to insure Culina’s contract – which prompted them to try and have his contract voided before the season started.
j binnie
Guest
Ian -You got me thinking so I looked up Jason's appearance record for Gold Coast and he made appearances for them in season 10/11 so he must have been injured after that World Cup agreement you put me on to,so the question now arises when did that agreement terminate or should it ,or was it, extended to cover Socceroo games AFTER the WC was over.?? Hope this helps but it certainly adds to my confusion, making it even more "messy". jb
j binnie
Guest
Ian and cattery -Firstly Cattery, I don't know anything about this case. Not being party to any of the details I am only quoting reports contained in various media outlets to counteract Ian's question "What's messy.?" Ian - Did as you suggested and looked at the website. Not being of the legal fraternity the first thing I noticed was the fact that the heading described an agreement drawn up between the FFA and the PFA for the World Cup 2006-2010 and that was for Socceroos in that competition in ,or leading up to South Africa 2010. Now to add to the confusion it said in a report elsewhere that Jason had been injured in an Asian Cup game.It did not say whether this injury occurred after the WC so I'm still no further forward in my thinking despite your attempt to help.Thanks anyway and season's greetings to you. jb ps(Time and the legal eagles will sort it out ultimately at lord knows what cost)
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Jbinnie, This might help http://www.pfa.net.au/fileadmin/user_upload/_temp_/Soccerroos_CBA_Fact_Sheet.pdf Jason Culina *is* going to get paid. The only question is by whom ...
The Cattery
Roar Guru
jb The way you describe, it was clearly the responsibility of the FFA, which is who Jase is suing. Appearing in a Socceroo shirt, he'd have every expectation that the governing body has its insurance cover in place for those in the NT. Anyway, my sympathies are with Jase, he made a big call to leave the Eredivisie and return to Australia to play in the A-League, and after a good start with GCU, it has sort of gone a bit pear shaped for him.
jbinnie
Guest
Ian - Whether you like it or not it is messy and the reports emanating from all quarters do little to improve the situation.To clarify for the "non-fan". Jason,when signing for the Gold Coast ,would normally come under that club's insurance cover. Other reports are suggesting this would have been done automatically because the FFA ,who originated the CBA in conjunction with??????,(we have to assume the PFA would have been party to the contents of that document). had in turn passed the costs incurred by this document to be included in the club's cost structure as an essential part of gaining a licence to run an HAL franchise.So far so good. Now the fly in the ointment.Jason was hurt in a game involving the Australian national team,which to the best of my knowledge comes under the jurisdiction of the FFA and obviously one would assume they would need a blanket insurance cover for the individuals in an Australian squad are constantly changing. So who is at fault? If that isn't messy Ian I don't know what is. Just be glad you are not involved.jb
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
Whats messy ? The CBA says he should get paid - the fact that FFA forgot to organise the insurance doesnt mean much.
super G
Guest
Not likely to see Jason in a socceroo shirt again any time soon then? This will get messy. I hope he will make a recovery and be able to kick a ball again some time down the track but judging by the latest developments his career is done and dusted.