This article from THE AUSTRALIAN
Milligan ban cut to two games
Peter Kogoy | May 10, 2008
OLYROOS defender Mark Milligan has had his five-game ban for missing a training camp reduced to two after apologising to Socceroos boss Pim Verbeek and Olympic coach Graham Arnold.
A contrite Milligan emerged from talks with Verbeek and Arnold at a secret location yesterday. Milligan was unrepresented and met Verbeek and Arnold alone.
The decision now clears the way for Milligan, the Beijing Olympics captain-elect, to rejoin the squad for the upcoming tour of Malaysia, beginning on Tuesday.
The reduced punishment for his failure to turn up on time in Townsville for a training camp last week now means Milligan will miss the Olyroos trial against Adelaide United at Parramatta Stadium on Monday and almost certainly the clash against Croatia, Australia's first-round opponents in the International Cup in Malaysia.
The first chance Milligan will have to play again is if Arnold recalls him to the starting line-up for the second International Cup game against Chile.
At yesterday's meeting, Milligan was given a stern warning about his no-show at the camp.
It is understood the out-of-contract Sydney FC defender had been overseas at the time, trialling with Arsenal.
"I want to stress (yesterday's meeting) was not an appeal hearing," FFA head of corporate affairs Bonita Mersiades said last night.
"It was Mark who picked up the phone and contacted these offices and sought a face-to-face meeting with both Pim Verbeek and Graham Arnold.
"He apologised for his actions and showed a great deal of contrition for his actions.
"In turn Milligan was given a clear message his failure to arrive in camp was not appropriate behaviour.
"The FFA wants to stress both Verbeek and Arnold want to see the young man succeed as a professional footballer."
* Ghana's national soccer coach Claude Le Roy will not renew his contract and is quitting his post later this month.
Le Roy's last game in charge of the Black Stars will be in a friendly against the Socceroos at the Sydney Football Stadium on May 23.
Ghana is due to meet Libya in a 2010 World Cup qualifying match on June 1.
Milligan ban cut to two games
Peter Kogoy | May 10, 2008
OLYROOS defender Mark Milligan has had his five-game ban for missing a training camp reduced to two after apologising to Socceroos boss Pim Verbeek and Olympic coach Graham Arnold.
A contrite Milligan emerged from talks with Verbeek and Arnold at a secret location yesterday. Milligan was unrepresented and met Verbeek and Arnold alone.
The decision now clears the way for Milligan, the Beijing Olympics captain-elect, to rejoin the squad for the upcoming tour of Malaysia, beginning on Tuesday.
The reduced punishment for his failure to turn up on time in Townsville for a training camp last week now means Milligan will miss the Olyroos trial against Adelaide United at Parramatta Stadium on Monday and almost certainly the clash against Croatia, Australia's first-round opponents in the International Cup in Malaysia.
The first chance Milligan will have to play again is if Arnold recalls him to the starting line-up for the second International Cup game against Chile.
At yesterday's meeting, Milligan was given a stern warning about his no-show at the camp.
It is understood the out-of-contract Sydney FC defender had been overseas at the time, trialling with Arsenal.
"I want to stress (yesterday's meeting) was not an appeal hearing," FFA head of corporate affairs Bonita Mersiades said last night.
"It was Mark who picked up the phone and contacted these offices and sought a face-to-face meeting with both Pim Verbeek and Graham Arnold.
"He apologised for his actions and showed a great deal of contrition for his actions.
"In turn Milligan was given a clear message his failure to arrive in camp was not appropriate behaviour.
"The FFA wants to stress both Verbeek and Arnold want to see the young man succeed as a professional footballer."
* Ghana's national soccer coach Claude Le Roy will not renew his contract and is quitting his post later this month.
Le Roy's last game in charge of the Black Stars will be in a friendly against the Socceroos at the Sydney Football Stadium on May 23.
Ghana is due to meet Libya in a 2010 World Cup qualifying match on June 1.
