The decision of Adelaide United’s Nestory Irankunda to opt against late Olyroos selection has caused consternation among rival A-League Men clubs.
A-League Men clubs are privately lobbying Football Australia to stand Irankunda down for the duration of the Olyroos’ U23 Asian Cup campaign after the Adelaide teenager opted against accepting an 11th-hour approach for the Olympic qualifiers.
Irankunda was considered by U23 coach Tony Vidmar as an injury replacement for Melbourne City’s Marco Tilio over the weekend, a few days after the coach left the 18-year-old out of his original squad.
Vidmar’s squad selection has been undermined by European clubs refusing to release players and Irankunda was one of the few attacking options available to him when he sounded out the teenager’s camp about a U-turn selection.
Vidmar spoke to Irankunda’s inner circle and Adelaide’s hierarchy before being told the Bayern Munich-bound winger would opt against travelling to the U23 Asian Cup in Qatar.
After those enquiries were knocked back, the Olyroos called up Brisbane Roar’s Keegan Jelacic in place of Irankunda.
Nestory Irankunda of Adelaide United celebrates a goal. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
But multiple clubs, who have lost players to the tournament with just three full rounds left in the A-League Men season, told AAP they were unimpressed with Irankunda’s ability to dictate his availability.
Clubs have cited regulations in discussions with the FA, claiming players who decline national team call-ups ought to be prevented from featuring at a domestic level for the duration of international camps.
The feeling among rival clubs is that by allowing Irankunda to play, Adelaide is advantaged while their other competition rivals are hamstrung by international call-ups at a crucial stage of the season.
FA is believed to have received correspondence from a number of ALM clubs arguing that Irankunda should be made unavailable for the entirety of the Olyroos’ time in camp, starting with Adelaide’s game against Macarthur on Friday.
Chasing an unlikely spot in the finals, the game is shaping as Irankunda’s likely last home game at Hindmarsh Stadium.
The alternative but far less likely solution being proposed is that Olyroos players should return to the ALM for the run-in towards finals.
But the legal sticking point centres around whether the Adelaide teen received an official call-up, which his club and FA are insistent did not take place.
In Adelaide’s view that should negate any complaint from rival clubs seeking to prevent Irankunda from featuring in his final four games.
Irankunda’s agent Adrian Griffin backed up that claim on the radio on Thursday, telling SEN1170 the teenager was only “indirectly contacted on Sunday night, but he had already made the decision he wanted to finish the season at Adelaide United”.
The Reds’ quest for a finals berth starts against the Bulls on Friday with coach Carl Veart urging Irankunda to keep building on an impressive run of form that has propelled Adelaide to three straight wins.
“(Irankunda) is a very dangerous player,” Veart said.
“We’ve seen over the last few weeks, he’s added a lot more to his game than just shooting and using his power.
“A lot of people think that’s all he has.
“But Nestory is a very intelligent footballer, he has very good technique and we’re starting to see that side of him now.”
Grem
Roar Rookie
Carl Veart’s comments were interesting - no contact from FA to Irankunda. 2 clubs complaining without knowing the story.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Kitwally, The situation with international players highlights the importance of the A League which should be better able to work with National Teams than international competitions. The proposal by some former NSL supporters that good young players can go overseas at an early age to continue their development is exposed for the folly it really is in this situation.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Irrespective of which “side” of this argument anyone is on, hopefully we can all agree it has been badly handled. And for the FA to have to set up an “independent enquiry” to clear Adelaide, APL and FA seems an over-the-top reaction and a waste of resources. Mind you, I bet Roar wished they hadn’t released Keegan after last nights performance.
Waz
Roar Rookie
You summed it up nicely, you can’t do anything about overseas leagues. Unless it’s within an international window. You can do something about the domestic league which is subservient to the national football federation. It seems only football can find ways to drum up negative headlines and then, like a ship of fools, have people running around saying “nothing to see here” :laughing:
Kitwally
Roar Rookie
But what about players overseas that were selected but their clubs didn’t allow them to go? Oh well, can’t do anything about that so let’s just ignore it and keep banging on about Irankunda?
Kitwally
Roar Rookie
Very good point SS. Waz your points are valid, but, what about Arrigo, Circati et al, my understanding is that they were not released by their clubs?
Grem
Roar Rookie
Those 2 Macarthur fans were absolutely delighted.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
same as the Sydney pen last round, worse I'd say
coolncold
Roar Rookie
Irankunda is just too lazy.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Not sure about the pen. Will have to watch the replay. All I know is Irankunda missed the shot. Perfect save by Kurto. Too much pressure for young Irankunda?
Waz
Roar Rookie
Okay then … So, apparently there is a god … S/he likes football … And respects Fair Play … 1-2. Job Done.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Yes! Justice! I still don't know what the penalty was for. Existing?
Brendan
Roar Pro
I’m gobsmacked. Adelaide clearly have the upper hand, yet the Bulls have somehow turned it around. Macarthur are leading with only 10 men.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Go you Lonely Bulls! :stoked:
Waz
Roar Rookie
Yes he was selected. Yes he declined to travel. Yes he should be stood down.
Grem
Roar Rookie
And after all this angst – he was not selected initially or after the injury to Tilio. An unnecessary story about Irankunda that didn’t need to happen. No need to worry about unfairness or favouritism – at least on this issue anyway.
Grem
Roar Rookie
There are obvious issues and problems which you have pointed out. It is something that all clubs need to sit down and make sure there are clear rules and procedures happening – if they are not already there. We do need to encourage youth, but clubs shouldn’t be punished for it either.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately the under age group often play outside of international windows. Partly because they have more competitions. What Aloisi learned out of that debacle was “don’t play youth” and within a year Roar went from having a low average age and giving youth a go to breaking records for the competitions oldest average age (which it took Graham Arnold to re-break - which was definitely his fault!).
Waz
Roar Rookie
Too soon Football Fan, too soon :unhappy:
Grem
Roar Rookie
Or as someone said previously – we need more windows for when tournaments are played. No club v country issues then. This tournament isn’t in a window period, which is unfortunate, and that is not the APL’s fault