Soccer: Court injunction threat Kings' name

By Terry Maddaford and NZPA

The Sydney Kings basketball franchise say they will seek a court injunction to keep the Football Kings out of the Australian National Soccer League if the newly-formed Auckland club does not change its name.

The Football Kings will make their debut in an expanded 17-team NSL in October, but Sydney Kings chief executive Harry Wrublewski is still demanding that the club changes its name to avoid a clash in the Australian sports marketplace.

Wrublewski has always threatened to take legal action if the Football Kings did not change, and said yesterday that it could result in the Auckland team being unable to play in Australia.

"Our lawyers are working on it right now and we'll certainly put the injunction on before the soccer season starts," Wrublewski said. "It may very well result that they can't play over here."

Football Kings spokesman Chris Turner could not be contacted yesterday but he has always maintained his club would defend its name if it came to court action.

Turner is frustrated at the Sydney Kings' unwillingness to relent on such a minor issue and see the positive side of sharing the name.

Wrublewski agreed court action had the potential to produce a messy start to both the basketball and soccer seasons in Australia.

"We've been contacted by Soccer Australia to say they've actually passed this case to their lawyers as well. They don't want to see any problems arising and they're going to find out what they can do to head off the situation," Wrublewski said.

Meanwhile, Adelaide City midfielder Dino Mennillo yesterday joined the growing list of soccer players signed by the Football Kings.

Mennillo, in his early twenties, is regarded in Australia as a better-than-useful player and one who could play for his country after having already played at youth level internationally. He is seen as a key signing for the Kings and he plays on the left side of the midfield or as a striker.

He joins another Australian, Marcus Stergiopoulos, as the first Australians signed by coach Wynton Rufer. Turner said yesterday that he expects another two Australians to sign before the end of the week.

All Whites Harry Ngata, Jason Batty, Chris Jackson and Gavin Wilkinson are already on the Kings' roster as is former international Riki van Steeden.