Soccer: Red tape puts knot in Kingz schoolboy call-up

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Red tape has stymied any chance of 17-year-old Craig Wylie making a surprise debut for the Football Kingz tomorrow night.

Kingz coach Kevin Fallon told Wylie he would be on this afternoon's flight to Sydney for the game against Parramatta Power.

But then he learned he had been grounded by Fifa's transfer regulations.

Under Fifa rules, no player aged under 18 can be transferred internationally.

As the Kingz are playing in the Australian National Soccer League, all players at the Auckland-based club are registered with Soccer Australia.

New Zealand Soccer has taken the case to the sport's governing body, pointing out the anomaly which could cost Wylie the chance to play professionally.

"We are trying to get a clearance from Fifa," New Zealand Soccer chief executive Bill MacGowan said yesterday.

"We are making every endeavour to sort it out. I rang Fifa last night and hope it can be resolved."

But a player must be registered with his new club at least 48 hours before kick-off, so Wylie has no chance of taking the field tomorrow night.

Wylie, who first played as a nine-year-old at the Western Springs club before switching to Lynn Avon and then Fallon's academy at Mt Albert Grammar, was understandably happy and a little upset by the day's events.

"I'm really happy to get the chance," Wylie said.

"I'm enjoying playing at left back and feel I have done well at training."

Wylie played left wing for the New Zealand under-17 side, but spent more time in defence for his school first XI.

Fallon said he had no problems with the Fifa ruling.

"He certainly would have been on the plane. He knows now he is in the frame and knows I was prepared to put him on the park.

"Seeing players like Wylie come through is one of the big advantages of having the Monday night [practice] games. But I'm prepared to wait. I don't want any botch-ups."

Wylie was destined to join other young New Zealand players at English first division club Barnsley, but a change in that club's management has closed that door.

"I think he would like to sign for the Kingz," Fallon said.

"A couple of seasons here playing in the NSL could be the best thing for him."

While Fallon has been thwarted in his bid to introduce Wylie, he is pleased the Kingz have agreed terms with Central United over the transfer of young striker Campbell Banks.

Agreement has been reached on a transfer fee, but the Kingz and Banks must now agree on personal terms, including a signing-on fee.

Kingz chief executive Chris Turner expects those discussions to be completed next week.