Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) has given its full support to Nick Carle and Matt Thompson following Sydney FC’s attempt to isolate them and will take the necessary steps to ensure the players’ rights and contracts are upheld in accordance with the A-League Collective Bargaining Agreement 2008/09 – 2014/15(CBA).
Following the club’s 3-0 loss to Adelaide United on the weekend, Carle and Thompson were informed by the club that they were to be excluded from first team training indefinitely.
Carle, a Sky Blues leadership group member, and Thompson, the A-League leading appearance holder, were accused of being ‘negative influences on the club’ and, without justification and any proper process, were sent home from yesterday morning’s training session and told to return in the afternoon to train with the National Youth League team.
PFA General Manager, Adam Vivian, said the club had not respected the rights of the players.
“We have a CBA that the clubs must comply with,” Vivian said.
“The actions of Sydney FC in excluding Nick and Matt from training are not in accordance with the CBA. If the situation is not remedied within 24 hours, we will take the necessary legal steps.
“Unfortunately this is not the first time this season where the PFA has been forced to intervene in this type of situation.
“This calls into question the behavior of some clubs and undermines a competition that is based on respect for contracts and a commitment to player wellbeing.”
