Usain Bolt plays in a charity match at Old Trafford.getty images
Even a "roaring stint" from Usain Bolt "may not be enough to get Football Federation Australia to loosen the purse strings" as the sprinter contemplates a six-week trial with A-League side Central Coast Mariners, according to Phil Lutton of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. News that Bolt was "on the verge" of trialing with the Mariners "quickly did the rounds of the global post-World Cup football media cycle." That is "the kind of attention an athlete of his stature commands," but whether he "fits the bill for a marquee player top-up," which would near the A$1M ($740,000) mark, "remains to be seen as FFA officials closely watch proceedings unfold." FFA will not "contribute a cent to the trial should it eventuate," and it is "likely to take some convincing" to make FFA reach into a fund "originally designed to lure football icons like Alessandro Del Piero, not retired track stars keen for a second career." Australian football agent Tony Rallis, who has been in the U.K. dealing with Bolt's representative, Ricky Simms, said that 70% of any wage paid to Bolt "would be guaranteed" by Mariners Owner Mike Charlesworth. Rallis: "We've got a club that's willing to allow him to trial and offer him the contract. We've got an athlete that's prepared to meet the trial criteria and benchmarks. We just need some funding from the FFA to top it up. We're not asking them to fund a trial. If it materializes into a contract, that's when we need some funding" (SMH, 7/18).
THINKING IT OVER: The AAP reported Simms confirmed the Jamaican "is considering an offer to trial for a contract" with the Mariners. FFA appears willing to at least have a "discussion" about whether it will "tip in" the A$900,000 ($665,000) required to "get the proposal off the ground." Rallis said that Bolt's trial "would go ahead only if FFA agreed to contribute to his contract if he was successful." The agent added, "[Simms] understands it. We're not going to risk the Bolt image or brand or discredit the A-League." An FFA spokesperson said, "We are actively working with A-League clubs on a number of potential marquee players. While Usain Bolt is one of the most famous athletes on the planet, he's not a professional footballer. If the trial goes ahead and Central Coast Mariners decide it stacks up and they want to offer him a contract, then we will have a discussion with them around that and what might be possible" (AAP, 7/17).
NO THANKS: In Sydney, Jon Ritson reported A-League side Newcastle Jets "rejected the chance" to try to lure Bolt. While the Mariners are working toward "offering Bolt the chance to impress," Newcastle revealed it was "offered a chance to discuss a move for Bolt." Jets CEO Lawrie McKinna said, "There was some talk and he was mentioned and I spoke to (Jets coach) Ernie (Merrick) three or four weeks ago. But with Roy O’Donovan serving his suspension, what we need is a proven goalscorer. It was a simple decision. Usain Bolt is not a proven scorer" (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 7/17).
