Chile atmosphere on Kingz imports

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The standoff between the Football Kingz and their Chilean players is set to blow into all-out warfare.

While Kingz chairman Chris Turner is adamant there will be no payout for Aaron Silva and David Moya if they head home, their manager, Jorge Sandoval, is just as determined his players will not be sold short as the fledgling Australian Soccer League club looks to prune costs.

"New Zealanders have to wake up to what professional sport is all about," Sandoval said. "Honouring contracts is part and parcel of sport now. We are quite prepared to negotiate but from what I understand the money is not there."

He said the players signed a contract until the end of May with the option of a further month if the Kingz reached the playoffs. It was a Fifa contract but the players were happy to return home as long as they get paid.

"I got a call from [Kingz coach] Wynton Rufer, who said he wanted the players to go home as he wanted to get some other players. He said the Chileans had not performed up to their reputation.

"The players were very surprised at that, especially Silva, who played every game until he was dropped for the last one."

Sandoval said they came for a three-week trial, and at the end of it the management and coaching staff were happy to sign them.

While he would not say how much was involved, he said that in Chilean terms it was quite a bit of money when bonuses were taken into account.

If the players stay put it seems they will have to be paid their salaries, accommodation, meals and car expenses until the expiry date on their contracts.

"They came here for the money as professional players," Sandoval said. "The coach [Rufer] calls the shots but I believe he is under pressure from the management."

Moya gave up the opportunity to play for the national under-23 side to come to New Zealand, while Silva stopped his university studies, which cost him the chance to graduate, he said.

Turner said talks were continuing but he was determined the club would not pay out the contracts.

"We have 19 contracted players but only 14 can play each week," he said. The others were still part of the squad.

Turner said the club was financially sound although cashflow was "reasonably tight." Gate receipts had not reached expectations.

"There are no real concerns with money, although we are almost at our player budget limit.

"We need good gates if we are to strengthen our side. But that has not been an issue in signing Aaran Lines [from Germany]."

Lines is expected to play for the Kingz against Adelaide Force on Friday night.