Post by Rubbernose on Feb 3, 2006 9:24:29 GMT 10
foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,18019997-23215,00.html
Nice.
Socceroo star's living hell
By David Lewis
February 3, 2006
SOCCEROOS defender Michael Thwaite is enduring "living hell" in Romania, subjected to a systematic campaign of mental intimidation aimed at wrecking his World Cup prospects.
Thwaite is being punished for refusing to sign a new deal with National Bucharest, or move to another Romanian club, in a dispute that has prompted Australia's Professional Footballers Association to lodge an official protest with FIFA.
It has sabotaged his move to Polish champions Wisla Krakow - with whom he signed a contract on January 14.
Thwaite has even kept a detailed diary, listing an extraordinary list of sanctions aimed at breaking his spirit - and forcing him to renege on his commitment with Krakow. They include:
Breaching his employment terms by forcing the 22-year-old to train in temperatures of -18C on a frozen and dangerous pitch with third division outfit AS Clincini without medical staff.
Refusing to pay him for three months after he failed to extend his contract in October.
Denying him access to National's facilities, including email, fax and telephones - even though he was willing to pay for them himself.
Illegally coercing him to scuttle his deal with Krakow and sign instead for Romania outfits Steaua Bucharest or Poli Timisoara - both willing to pay a $1million fee for a player whose contract with National expires at the end of May.
Taking his passport on the pretext of a pre-season training camp in Italy, from which, ironically, he was barred - then refusing to give it back for seven days.
Calling him into the office of president Constantin Iacov while his teammates are at training then making him sit for hours in a waiting area before Iacov sees him.
Telling him that unless he signs for either Steaua or Poli Timisoara "we'll make sure you don't play at the World Cup".
"This is a living hell for me," says Thwaite, who made his Socceroos debut in the 5-1 win over Jamaica last October and was part of the squad that beat Uruguay to qualify for the World Cup.
Thwaite's manager Bernie Mandic and the PFA expect an official response from FIFA by early next week.
"This is crazy. People in Australia think it's all green grass for us Socceroos in Europe," adds Thwaite. "But the president here is doing everything in his power to break me and to ruin my World Cup. I haven't played a single serious game since I told them I didn't want to stay."
Thwaite, who signed a five-year deal with Wisla Krakow on January 14, could be forced to remain in the cold by National until his current two-year deal officially expires in May.
But they'll let him go tomorrow if the Poles - or anybody else - meets their $1.6 million asking price. Wisla have so far agreed to pay only $160,000.
"They have done the three worst things you can do to a player - refuse to pay you, refuse to play you and now refusing to let me train with the team [currently in southern Italy on a training camp].
"FIFA and the PFA are struggling to do something about it.
"This isn't what I came into soccer for. When I was a kid in Cairns growing up I never dreamed I'd end up being treated like this.
"I didn't know slavery was alive and well in football. I'm an honest Australian player - and the way I'm being treated is wrong. My family is very worried about me but I've got to stay strong and not let them beat me.
"Talk about the highs and lows. One moment I'm training with Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka with the Socceroos then the next I'm out on a frozen pitch training with a third division Romanian team. All I want is go to Poland to improve my career and my chances with the national team."
Mandic is withering in his view of Bucharest's conduct.
"They are playing psychological games with Michael and they specialise in under-handed tricks," he said.
Mandic hopes Thwaite can escape from his torment before the end of this month, when transfers close in Poland.
The Daily Telegraph
By David Lewis
February 3, 2006
SOCCEROOS defender Michael Thwaite is enduring "living hell" in Romania, subjected to a systematic campaign of mental intimidation aimed at wrecking his World Cup prospects.
Thwaite is being punished for refusing to sign a new deal with National Bucharest, or move to another Romanian club, in a dispute that has prompted Australia's Professional Footballers Association to lodge an official protest with FIFA.
It has sabotaged his move to Polish champions Wisla Krakow - with whom he signed a contract on January 14.
Thwaite has even kept a detailed diary, listing an extraordinary list of sanctions aimed at breaking his spirit - and forcing him to renege on his commitment with Krakow. They include:
Breaching his employment terms by forcing the 22-year-old to train in temperatures of -18C on a frozen and dangerous pitch with third division outfit AS Clincini without medical staff.
Refusing to pay him for three months after he failed to extend his contract in October.
Denying him access to National's facilities, including email, fax and telephones - even though he was willing to pay for them himself.
Illegally coercing him to scuttle his deal with Krakow and sign instead for Romania outfits Steaua Bucharest or Poli Timisoara - both willing to pay a $1million fee for a player whose contract with National expires at the end of May.
Taking his passport on the pretext of a pre-season training camp in Italy, from which, ironically, he was barred - then refusing to give it back for seven days.
Calling him into the office of president Constantin Iacov while his teammates are at training then making him sit for hours in a waiting area before Iacov sees him.
Telling him that unless he signs for either Steaua or Poli Timisoara "we'll make sure you don't play at the World Cup".
"This is a living hell for me," says Thwaite, who made his Socceroos debut in the 5-1 win over Jamaica last October and was part of the squad that beat Uruguay to qualify for the World Cup.
Thwaite's manager Bernie Mandic and the PFA expect an official response from FIFA by early next week.
"This is crazy. People in Australia think it's all green grass for us Socceroos in Europe," adds Thwaite. "But the president here is doing everything in his power to break me and to ruin my World Cup. I haven't played a single serious game since I told them I didn't want to stay."
Thwaite, who signed a five-year deal with Wisla Krakow on January 14, could be forced to remain in the cold by National until his current two-year deal officially expires in May.
But they'll let him go tomorrow if the Poles - or anybody else - meets their $1.6 million asking price. Wisla have so far agreed to pay only $160,000.
"They have done the three worst things you can do to a player - refuse to pay you, refuse to play you and now refusing to let me train with the team [currently in southern Italy on a training camp].
"FIFA and the PFA are struggling to do something about it.
"This isn't what I came into soccer for. When I was a kid in Cairns growing up I never dreamed I'd end up being treated like this.
"I didn't know slavery was alive and well in football. I'm an honest Australian player - and the way I'm being treated is wrong. My family is very worried about me but I've got to stay strong and not let them beat me.
"Talk about the highs and lows. One moment I'm training with Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka with the Socceroos then the next I'm out on a frozen pitch training with a third division Romanian team. All I want is go to Poland to improve my career and my chances with the national team."
Mandic is withering in his view of Bucharest's conduct.
"They are playing psychological games with Michael and they specialise in under-handed tricks," he said.
Mandic hopes Thwaite can escape from his torment before the end of this month, when transfers close in Poland.
The Daily Telegraph
Nice.
