Soccer: Boutsianis row left to simmer

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The Football Kingz are taking a wait-and-see stance on the latest chapter in the Con Boutsianis comic opera.

The South Melbourne club thumbed their nose at NSL boss Stefan Kamasz in playing the controversial Boutsianis in their 2-1 win over the Kingz on Friday night.

Boutsianis scored the last-gasp winner to add insult to injury.

"The matter is now in Soccer Australia's hands," Kingz chief executive Chris Turner said yesterday.

"South Melbourne were advised last Wednesday not to play Boutsianis.

"That was confirmed in writing by Stefan Kamasz on Friday."

In "cutting a deal" with South Melbourne which allowed Boutsianis to return to his old club for the match against Perth Glory 10 days ago, the Kingz stipulated he could not play against the Kingz.

That agreement, tagged by Turner as absolutely watertight, was confirmed by Kamasz.

"Win, lose or draw, we made it clear that if Boutsianis played against us we wanted the matter taken immediately to Soccer Australia," Turner said.

"We had 48 hours to make our position known. We have done that and we hope it will be addressed this week."

Souths could lose the points or be fined - or both - if the tribunal finds against them.

In the meantime, Kingz coach Kevin Fallon is set to confirm Robbie Hooker's place in his squad for the rest of the season.

"If Kevin wants him then he will be signed," Turner said.

"We agreed terms before Robbie came over for his two-week trial, which ends today."

Fallon, putting himself through the agony of watching a video of Friday night's loss, said yesterday that he was set to sign Hooker as he continues his search for a settled defensive structure.

The Kingz will play a friendly against Mt Wellington tonight as the build-up to Friday's game against Marconi at North Harbour Stadium gains momentum.