"I don’t agree with the ban,” he told au.fourfourtwo.com today. “It’s a load of crap to be honest.

“For a situation where he’s been on trial, obviously there’s got to be some sort of punishment, but not to the detriment of the player.

“I mean he’s a player they’re looking at who could be a future Socceroo captain and he’s got to go to the Olympics Games.”

Milligan, 22, the captain of the U/23s, was missing from this week’s Olyroo training camp in Townsville, Nth Qld, because he was in the UK trialing with EPL giant Arsenal.

It's claimed Milligan's reps told the FFA but the governing body has been at odds with that claim this week.

“You can’t blame the kid for trying to secure his future. And I think there’ll be a bit of egg on people’s faces if he does get a contract with Arsenal or whoever,” added Farina, the former Socceroo boss.

As for solutions to such an issue arising in the future, Farina said there were no hard and fast rules to players missing training camps due to overseas trials.

He added: “It’s an issue, and it has to be managed. But this decision seems to be a decision by the FFA.

“If that’s Graham’s [Arnold, Olyroo coach] decision, then great, but he should really be the one in control of the whole thing. I don’t think it was his decision.

“I don’t like Mark because he played in a blue shirt last year, but I like him as a player. He’s a good kid and a good player.”

Milligan will appeal the FFA ban today (Fri).

As for his own club Roar, Farina confirmed no decision has been made on the speculated signings of two Brazilians from sister club Atletico Mineiro.

“We’re trying to buy the best players to improve us but the proof will be in the pudding in that first week of the A-League," he said.

“We’re going okay in terms of preparation and training, but nothing really matters until the first game.”