EXCLUSIVE: Olyroo keeper Danny Vukovic may train with Sheffield United during his ban to stay match fit said Mariners CEO Lyall Gorman, who described the last few months as a “rollercoaster”.
Gorman spoke with Vukovic just moments after the decision was handed down.
“Danny just rang me from Hayman Island, I think it was,” Gorman told au.fourfourtwo.com shortly after the decision was handed down.
"He’s up there with his girl. There’s a mixture of emotions for him. It’s exhilarating but also overwhelming.
“He may find a quiet place for a quiet drink, but you have to remember, there’s still a pretty hefty ban in place. He’s banned till October 6 which is seven A-League matches.
“He can’t wait to get back and re-establish his place.”
Vukovic has been granted a reprieve and allowed to play in the Olympics after a U-turn by the FFA's appeals committee on his original 15 month ban.
The independent panel upheld his ban - but gave him a break from it over the Olympics to allow him to go to Beijing 2008.
A statement from the FFA confirmed: "The effect of the Appeals Committee decision means that Vukovic will not be eligible to play in the Hyundai A-League competition again until 6 October 2008, but he is eligible for selection to the Australian Olympic team.
"The Appeals Committee decided that Vukovic be suspended from all games up to 24 June 2008 and from all games from 29 August – 5 October 2008 inclusive.
"The Appeals Committee also decided that Vukovic should not play in any games from 6 October 2008 – 25 January 2009 inclusive, with the latter penalty to be suspended subject to no further infringement in the period up to, and including 25 January 2009.
"The Appeals Committee also fined Vukovic $10,000 to be paid to the FFA.”
The Mariners are now working on ways to keep their star keeper match fit.
“We’ll have to talk with Graham Arnold and find out if he’s allowed to train with the Olyroos. We’re not sure," added Gorman.
“One option could be to send him to Sheffield United to train and keep match fit."
The Mariners currently have a strategic alliance with the Yorkshire club.
Gorman added that a back up keeper at Bluetongue is being looked at but said he’d meet with coach Lawrie McKinna in the next few days to discuss that option.
But right now, Gorman is just happy there is a verdict.
“This whole thing has been draining. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster," he said.
"But my view is that today’s outcome has been a cleanser. It’s positive. But we’ve got to move on.”
The Mariners commence training for the new A-League season on Monday.
“Danny just rang me from Hayman Island, I think it was,” Gorman told au.fourfourtwo.com shortly after the decision was handed down.
"He’s up there with his girl. There’s a mixture of emotions for him. It’s exhilarating but also overwhelming.
“He may find a quiet place for a quiet drink, but you have to remember, there’s still a pretty hefty ban in place. He’s banned till October 6 which is seven A-League matches.
“He can’t wait to get back and re-establish his place.”
Vukovic has been granted a reprieve and allowed to play in the Olympics after a U-turn by the FFA's appeals committee on his original 15 month ban.
The independent panel upheld his ban - but gave him a break from it over the Olympics to allow him to go to Beijing 2008.
A statement from the FFA confirmed: "The effect of the Appeals Committee decision means that Vukovic will not be eligible to play in the Hyundai A-League competition again until 6 October 2008, but he is eligible for selection to the Australian Olympic team.
"The Appeals Committee decided that Vukovic be suspended from all games up to 24 June 2008 and from all games from 29 August – 5 October 2008 inclusive.
"The Appeals Committee also decided that Vukovic should not play in any games from 6 October 2008 – 25 January 2009 inclusive, with the latter penalty to be suspended subject to no further infringement in the period up to, and including 25 January 2009.
"The Appeals Committee also fined Vukovic $10,000 to be paid to the FFA.”
The Mariners are now working on ways to keep their star keeper match fit.
“We’ll have to talk with Graham Arnold and find out if he’s allowed to train with the Olyroos. We’re not sure," added Gorman.
“One option could be to send him to Sheffield United to train and keep match fit."
The Mariners currently have a strategic alliance with the Yorkshire club.
Gorman added that a back up keeper at Bluetongue is being looked at but said he’d meet with coach Lawrie McKinna in the next few days to discuss that option.
But right now, Gorman is just happy there is a verdict.
“This whole thing has been draining. It’s been an emotional rollercoaster," he said.
"But my view is that today’s outcome has been a cleanser. It’s positive. But we’ve got to move on.”
The Mariners commence training for the new A-League season on Monday.
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