Soccer: Chief stands by coaches, players after owner lets fly

Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg. Photo / Getty Images

An off-field spat which led veteran Gold Coast United coach Miron Bleiberg to quit has led to a sharp reaction from Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley, who would not want to see the A-League season derailed at this late stage of the season.

Bleiberg was stood down for one match by Gold Coast owner Clive Palmer after he spoke out when he was told that 17-year-old debutante Mitch Cooper would captain the team in last Friday's match with Melbourne Heart.

That suspension has now become permanent, with Bleiberg, who has been with the club since their A-League debut in 2009, saying he is off.

Bleiberg, 57, who has been around the coaching traps since the mid-1980s, has been on thin ice this season with the under-performing Gold Coast side who seem destined for the wooden spoon.

Hit hard by departures, including All Whites striker Shane Smeltz, and injuries, including All Whites goalkeeper Glen Moss, Gold Coast have won only three of 21 games and are eight points adrift of second-to-bottom Adelaide United. Gold Coast have scored just 21 goals.

In an amazing outburst, Palmer, who holds the A-League licence for another two years, said in an interview with the Sunday Mail that "I don't even like the game. I think it's a hopeless game".

That tirade led Buckley to respond by saying: "Football fans across Australia will rightfully condemn the lack of respect inherent in comments made by Clive Palmer.

"The comments are offensive to the players, coaches, administrators and volunteers who are the life and soul of Australian football.

"We welcomed Clive into the game and lauded his investment," said Buckley. "But no matter how frustrated Clive may feel about his involvement, these comments are out of order."

Bleiberg will not be at Skilled Park tomorrow night when Gold Coast play leaders Central Coast Mariners in a catch-up game which could have ramifications at both ends of the table.

A win would take Central Coast eight points clear of Brisbane Roar at the top of the table. A loss would leave Gold Coast on the almost certain spiral to last place.

Meanwhile, the Wellington Phoenix have remained in Australia for Saturday's key clash with Sydney FC.

While the Phoenix should retain fourth place no matter what the result, they are fully aware victory for Sydney would allow them to join them on 33 points with four games to play. Should Melbourne Heart beat Central Coast at home on Sunday, they would join a three-way tie for fourth as the top six set out to get as high as possible to ensure a more comfortable passage in the play-offs, which start next month.

The Phoenix must bounce back from successive losses to remain a credible option in the play-off race.

Their under-strength side were decidedly off the pace in going down 2-0 to the Mariners on Saturday and must rediscover the form which carried them to successive away wins over Gold Coast, Newcastle Jets and Adelaide United if they are to figure as a genuine contender.