Former Wellington Phoenix captain Andrew Durante has fired a social-media serve at Football Federation Australia for a lack of leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As the NRL prepares to restart on Thursday night and a day after Rugby Australia unveiled plans for a domestic 'Super' competition, the A-League remains dormant, with no apparent plan to restart.
That lack of initiative has left former All White Durante frustrated. The 38-year-old has taken to Instagram to blast the game's governing body, questioning why it appears asleep at the wheel.
The delayed return was initially blamed on broadcasting revenue negotiations with Fox network and cuts to player payments.
"Fox finally pay the full amount," Durante writes. "Amazing! We are gonna finish the season.
"NOPE!
"FFA decide to keep majority of Fox money. League put back on hold again."
Durante then revealed the player's association agreed to a salary reduction, which he described as "shit", so football would resume, but still no word on when the A-League will be back.
"FFA and PFA finally come to pay agreement... great. Shit deal, but a deal nonetheless.
"Season is back on.
"NOPE!
"Fox will only broadcast games if we agree to a 10mil per season broadcast deal.
"WTF is going on with our game???
"Enough is enough… It's beyond a joke now!!!"
Durante currently plays with Western United, who sit in the final playoff spot with 10 games to play.
The Phoenix sit in third place, comfortably inside the playoff spots.
