The Newcastle Jets players have agreed to continue their 2009 ACL campaign following a meeting with the PFA yesterday morning.
PFA Chief Executive Brendan Schwab said that he was pleased the players are once again focusing on football.
Schwab added, “The Asian Champions League is a vital pillar in the future of Australian club football. The Jets are determined to represent both the people of Newcastle and the A-League in Asia’s pre-eminent club competition and look forward to obtaining the desired result in Korea next Wednesday night.”
“At the same time, the players and the PFA are understandably frustrated with the protracted negotiations with the FFA to establish league-wide pay for the ACL.”
“The players have legitimate and long-standing concerns with the club, that, when coupled with the delay in FFA negotiations led to the decision they made this week to boycott the upcoming match.”
Schwab added, “We have assured the players that any pay deal reached with the FFA will apply retrospectively from the first ACL game. Should an agreement not be reached, the players also have the security of knowing their payments can be set by arbitration under the FFA – PFA Grievance Procedure contained in the A-League CBA.”
Newcastle Jets captain Matt Thompson said, “We have raised some legitimate issues this week and we’re satisfied with the progress that has been made. The playing group is happy with the process the PFA has followed with this negotiation and we hope that a deal can be completed with the FFA so that arbitration won’t be necessary. In the meantime, the players will continue to focus on football and attaining the desired result in Korea next Wednesday. I’m confident that our club is stronger as a result of this week.”
