Matheson said he would be devastated if transfer target Chipperfield - believed to be just days away from giving Fury his decision - changed his mind on a likely decision to return home after a lengthy career in Europe as a result of Verbeek's comments.

"His focus is on his own job, he's doing a great job, and I don't want to work against that," Matheson told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"But the rest of us are trying to build up the A-League. We're busting our guts to raise the capital to bring players like Chippers home, and this could not have come at a worse time.

"If I was a player, I'd probably be worried about what he's saying ... We're right at the death in terms of the negotiations, and the worry is this could have an impact.

We'd be shattered if this affects his decision."

Matheson said a move to the A-League could only benefit 33-year-old Chipperfield with a shorter season giving him more rest.

He added: "You look at Chippers, the injuries he's been carrying, and his age, and coming back to the A-League should mean we can protect him from those injuries, rather than him being pushed to the limit like he is in Europe."