The players union says Sydney FC’s ban of Nick Carle and Matt Thompson is illegal
THE players union has come out fighting on behalf of sidelined Sydney FC duo Nick Carle and Matt Thompson, warning the club that its decision to exclude from first-team training is illegal under the A-League’s collective bargaining agreement.
The PFA issued a statement today threatening legal action if Sydney coach Frank Farina did not back down from his decision to force the pair to train “independently”.
It’s understood that Farina told the pair yesterday morning that they had little chance of figuring for Sydney again, though both players have privately denied making any “negative comments” about the club or the coach.
Under the CBA, players have to be guilty of a breach of the national code of conduct that all players sign up to, and they have to be given a right to reply. It’s understood both players say they have been given none of this due process, and the PFA is ready to fight it.
“ Following the club’s 3-0 loss to Adelaide United on the weekend, Carle and Thompson were informed by the club that they were to be excluded from first team training indefinitely,” the PFA said in a statement.
“Carle, a Sky Blues leadership group member, and Thompson, the A-League leading appearance holder, were accused of being ‘negative influences on the club’ and, without justification and any proper process, were sent home from yesterday morning’s training session and told to return in the afternoon to train with the National Youth League team.”
The PFA’s General Manager, Adam Vivian, went further, warning that the move had to be overturned immediately.
“We have a CBA that the clubs must comply with,” Vivian said. “The actions of Sydney FC in excluding Nick and Matt from training are not in accordance with the CBA. If the situation is not remedied within 24 hours, we will take the necessary legal steps.
“Unfortunately this is not the first time this season where the PFA has been forced to intervene in this type of situation. This calls into question the behaviour of some clubs and undermines acompetition that is based on respect for contracts and a commitment to player wellbeing.”
Sydney FC said they were preparing a statement in response.
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