Melbourne Victory coach Jim Magilton is mystified by the bitterness of the public brawl between the FFA and mining magnate Clive Palmer.
On Thursday, Palmer announced he planned to form the breakaway Football Australia league after the FFA terminated the licence for Gold Coast United, which he owns.
Magilton joined the A-League last month when he took over at the Victory.
He said the quality of the league had been a pleasant surprise and he wants the warring parties to sort out their problems.
Asked what he thought of the off-field shenanigans, Magilton replied “just that”.
“I wish people would sit down … I don’t know where they’re going with all this. I don’t know why they want to get into this sort of disagreement or argument,” he added.
“My own experience in the league thus far is all positive.
“The league is certainly better than what I initially thought coming out here.”
He would prefer that United stays in the competition, saying “surely the league is stronger with Gold Coast in it.
“Again, if they sat down and were reasonable with one another, I’m sure we could reach an amicable ending.”
Magilton has had an extensive playing and coaching career and admitted this had been one of the more unique situations he had encountered.
“I don’t really know him (Palmer) – he’s an interesting character, let’s just say that, and he’s obviously a very forthright character,” Magilton said.
“He has his own opinions on the game, we all do, and this is why we’re all in it.
“I’ve had unique experiences at football clubs and this ranks up there with them.”
Also on Friday, Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro issued a statement where he strongly backed the FFA.
“The positives from this season are being overshadowed through this by-play,” Di Pietro said.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Mathew Leckie played a pivotal part in Melbourne City claiming an 8-nil win; playing a role in several of his team's goals.
The loser of the Sydney Derby will be under immense pressure entering the final three matches of the season.
Anthony Caceres is a player with immense talent and has a fantastic work rate, broke the deadlock against the Mariners in the 74th minute.
Plenty of Aussies impressed in the final week of March, showing their talents off abroad and in their backyard. Here's the best XI of…
Round 19 was an interesting weekend of football with no draws, 19 goals in six matches, two five-goal games on Sunday and for the…
Round 17 was full of interesting contests and plenty of controversy. The highlight of the weekend was a five-goal thriller between the Perth Glory…
