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SISTER clubs Melbourne and Adelaide Croatia have severed ties following the bungled transfer of striker Mladen Putanec.
And the ill-feeling could turn into an even messier affair with Adelaide Croatia vice-president Carlo Zaga threatening to take legal action in an attempt to claim the $6000 transfer fee for the player from the Melbourne club.
Putanec was brought to Australia by the Adelaide club two years ago from Croatia and had an impressive second season in the South Australian State League.
Melbourne Croatia, hit by injuries and suspensions earlier this season, panicked after its 0-2 loss at Adelaide City on November 17, and agreed to the signing of Putanec in a hurried meeting with Adelaide Croatia officials.
The transfer hit immediate problems as soon as Melbourne tried to get permission from the Immigration Department for the player to transfer and the NSL club put a ‘stop payment’ on the $6000 cheque.
Putanec’s visa had apparently run out and despite several attempts by Melbourne Croatia, immigration declared him an illegal immigrant.
The only concession granted was to issue a temporary visa until the end of April to enable Putanec to get his matters in order before leaving the country.
Melbourne Croatia washed its hands of the matter as soon as the soccer transfer deadline expired in March.
But Adelaide Croatia has since been openly stating it has not received the money for a player which it claims belongs to Melbourne Croatia.
Through all of this, Putanec has been completely forgotten.
APIA Leichhardt has re-appointed Manfred Schaefer as its coach for the 1992-93 season.
Meanwhile, Fijian international Ivor Evans, who had a stint in the Canadian National League, is on the lookout for an Australian NSL club.
It is understood Evans has had preliminary talks with Sydney Olympic.
The Australian Soccer Federation is set to replace substitutions with an interchange rule for junior soccer up to the age of 15.
ST ALBANS has pulled out of negotiations to bring former Morwell and Apia striker Ron Manley to Australia.
The main obstacle was Manley’s insistence to bring his wife and three children with him which would have cost the club a further $10,000.
GREEN Gully defender David Hogben will play his 350th game for the club this Sunday.
He made his full debut as a 17-year-old in 1979 against a Prahran Slavia side which also included a first gamer in a young Paul Wade.
Peter Desira,
HERALD SUN
26th March 1992
