Soccer: Another row erupts over Boutsianis

By TERRY MADDAFORD

South Melbourne will risk losing any points they pick up in tonight's game with the Football Kingz if they buck the system in playing Con Boutsianis.

Souths president George Vasilopoulos said yesterday that his club would play Boutsianis despite an agreement reached last week that ruled the controversial player out of this match.

The deal, which freed the controversial midfielder to play in last Saturday's 0-0 draw with NSL leaders Perth Glory, said he was to be sidelined for the clash with the Kingz - the club that he turned his back on without kicking a ball for.

But Vasilopoulos said that a report in Monday's Herald which set out the terms of that agreement was a breach of confidentiality and opened the way for Souths coach Eddie Krncevic to include Boutsianis in his team for tonight's game at Bob Jane Stadium.

Kingz chief executive Chris Turner said only the financial terms of the agreement were confidential.

The Kingz stance appears to be backed by Soccer Australia and NSL boss Stefan Kamasz, who warned South Melbourne that playing Boutsianis would be taking a risk.

"It could result in points being staked," Kamasz said.

Turner said: "We would rather win the points on the field than in this manner, but they are fully aware of the consequences."

Despite the Kingz' battling 2-1 loss to second-placed Brisbane Strikers last week, their coach, Kevin Fallon, has stuck with the same starting lineup.

He admitted from Melbourne last night that it was difficult to leave Mark Burton on the bench after his impressive effort against Central United in Monday's training game.

"He pressed hard," said Fallon. "He might get a start if George Goutzioulis does not recover from the virus he has picked up."

Of his effort against Central and the cracking goal he scored, Burton said: "It was one of the best I've scored. There was a nice feeling about the way we played.

"I haven't always been given the freedom I had in that game. Last year I found myself dropping back into the midfield and feeding off the bits and pieces."

Gerard Davis joins Burton, Hiroshi Miyazawa and James Bannatyne on the bench tonight.

Kingz: Michael Theoklitos, Robbie Hooker, John Markovski, Sean Douglas, Jonathan Perry, Harry Ngata, Chris Jackson, George Goutzioulis, Jeff Campbell, Paul Urlovic, Andy Vlahos. Substitutes: Mark Burton, Gerard Davis, Hiroshi Miyazawa, James Bannatyne.

South Melbourne (likely): Michael Petkovic, Steve Iosifidis, Peter Liparoti, Vaughan Coveny, Peter Buljan, Rodomis Sekulovski, Nick Tolios, Massimo Murdocca, Patrick Kisnorbo, Vinca Lia, Con Boutsianis. Substitutes: Joe Bacak, Sebastian Petrovic, Clayton Bell, Eugen Galekovic.