With metaphorical glove in hand and a brisk back-handed slap across the face of Football Federation Australia, Clive Palmer has continued his warring words against Ben Buckley and the powers that be by issuing a most bizarre challenge.
Not a challenge in fact, but a bet.
The Olyroos versus the Gold Coast United youth team for a one-off prize of $50,000 in cold hard cash. So will the FFA play along?
He knows how to ruffle some feathers that Clive Palmer doesn’t he?
Providing as much salacious entertainment as the political tussle that’s unfolding concurrently in Australian parliament, Palmer is on a one-man football mission to shake up the system.
However his method, in this case at least, is questionable.
Australia may have failed to qualify for the Olympics in both mens and womens football, but like often discussed suggestions for top European clubs to play our Socceroos in an exhibition match, what could be more insulting to Australian football than this?
A youth league team (albeit a relatively successful youth team) playing our underachieving Under 23 national team. And for cash?
Hell, while we’re at it let’s get rid of the Hyundai banner at halftime and make it a giant roulette wheel. Or how about we all yell “blackjack” when more than 21 people turn up to Skilled Park? Maybe, every time the ref blows his whistle for a foul, that team’s substitutes have to drink? And surely the losing team’s coach should do a nuddy run around the pitch!
But really. That’s how ridiculous this whole idea is.
To prove what?
So Clive Palmer can prove his club has plenty of youth talent? WE ALREADY KNOW THAT CLIVE! There’s much respect for the amazing prodigies that take to the pitch in the blue and gold. It’s been widely written.
This bet, and that’s exactly what it is, spits in the face of professionalism and the honour of representing your country in the green and gold. There won’t be anything to take out of this for the Olyroos involved. Would it even count as a cap?
And if they lose? Well Clive you would have successfully dragged the green and gold through the mud, and publicly humiliated the players, coaches and staff involved. Talk about a “national embarrassment”.
Though parents often resort to shaming their children into submission in order to teach them a lesson, professional football doesn’t work that way, Clive.
Players are not disposable pawns to be utilised at will in your masterplan to cause change in the FFA.
Like wearing the “Come Play” scarf from the 2022 Australian World Cup Bid, this is yet another example of Palmer’s naivety and lack of understanding when it comes to professional football.
It is true that in Palmer’s rant on The World Game earlier this week he raised some very valid points worth addressing, but this Olyroos versus Gold Coast United proposal is beyond a joke and not the way to instigate change.
And unless Ben Buckley and the FFA head honchos are partaking in the mass consumption of some mind-altering happy juice, I highly doubt they will entertain the idea.
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