Cernak was slammed by Fury for a lack of respect over the way his switch to Victoria was announced.

The player and Melbourne Victory announced the move yesterday but Fury were left disappointed at the way events unfolded.

"Franz is particularly disappointed, more disappointed that Isaka hasn't spoken to him," McLaren told the Townsville Bulletin.

"He (Straka) feels that he should have been the first port of call and I've got to say I agree with that. Isaka has shown a lack of respect to the position of head coach."

Cernak defended his approach however, while stressing that he had nothing but the greatest respect for Straka, McLaren and football operations manager Robbie Middleby.

He said: "The club knew I had been contacted, it wasn't a secretive thing that was going on.

"But at the same time it was me making a decision for myself and I didn't want to be influenced by what people had to say."

PFA boss Brendan Schwab told au.fourfourtwo.com today that the player was fully within his rights to seek a transfer and the comments were not justified.

“The PFA is very disappointed in the reported comments by Stuart McLaren regarding Isaka Cernak," said Schwab.

"The A-League has a very strong regulatory framework which allows clubs and players to negotiate contracts and the financial viability of everyone involved.

“It’s clear that Isaka was free to sign a contract with any club from October 1, 2010. And it’s very disappointing that he would be personally criticised for having exercised his right.

“All players at North Queensland Fury have acted with the highest level of professionalism to ensure the success of the club, notwithstanding the uncertainty about its future.”

The Fury assistant coach was also recently banned from talking to the media post-game for the rest of the season and slapped with a suspended $5000 fine by Fury after a recent press conference and alleged incident in the tunnel during an A-League match in Gosford.

Cernak now must play the rest of the season with McLaren’s comments hanging over his head which the PFA believe is not fair to the player.

Schwab added: “Isaka has a big future and is surely entitled to protect his professional future and the action he’s taken is reasonable and accords with the expectations the game places on its professional footballers.”