Football Federation Australia (FFA) have blocked Green Gully’s last-ditch attempt to register Ante Covic for tonight’s FFA Cup clash against the Central Coast Mariners, citing that he does not fulfill the guest-player quote.
As we reported earlier, Covic had flown out to Melbourne with the view that his registration would be approved by both the FFV and Football Federation Australia, and is now reportedly furious with the decision from the governing bodies.
Gully made the move given first-choice keeper Rani Dowisha’s suspension and concerns over the match fitness of reserve keeper Sebastian Mattei, who will now be forced to start the match.
Outside90 understands that FFA cited Covic did not meet the criteria of a ‘guest player’, despite his status as a former Socceroo and a decorated club career both in Europe and locally in the A-League, winning the Asian Champions League with the Western Sydney Wanderers.
Gully will now have to field a 15-year-old keeper on the bench or look to an outfield player.
The club have been left seriously disgruntled by the decision, further compounded by the fact they were ordered to pay $20,000 in light upgrades for the TV broadcast.
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