Herbert feels no sympathy for busy Jets
17 January 2013-AAP
Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert has little sympathy for Newcastle Jets boss Gary van Egmond who is furious at Football Federation Australia's (FFA) scheduling change that means his team will play three games in 10 days next month.
Jets fume over Phoenix match switch
The Jets have lodged an official complaint at the rescheduling of their A-League Round 26 match against the Phoenix on 23 March.
It's been moved because of a clash with the All Whites' World Cup Oceania qualifying matches.
The fixture would have been squeezed between New Zealand games against New Caledonia on 22 March and Solomon Islands on 26 March.
It will now be played at Westpac Stadium on Wednesday 27 February with a 7.30pm kick-off, sandwiched between Newcastle's games against Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory.
"In a close competition like we have at the moment, this decision could have a real bearing on our season," Van Egmond said.
FFA turned down a compromise offer from the Jets to play the match at their home ground, Hunter Stadium, on February 27.
"To decline our compromise to play the game in Newcastle, claiming it would disadvantage Wellington, is insulting for the credibility of the A-League competition, our players and fans."
Herbert wasn't too worried at Van Egmond's reaction.
He said Phoenix was equally disadvantaged earlier in the season, when a makeshift team battled to draw 1-1 with Melbourne Heart as the All Whites played a World Cup qualifier against Tahiti in Papeete.
"We probably weren't happy about having to play the game with eight players away, so it's probably a little bit of justice done," Herbert said after training on Thursday.
Up to 10 Phoenix players are expected to be unavailable for selection due to national team duties.
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