Usain Bolt's move to the A-League should be up to the fans - Tim Cahill
Usain Bolt's move to the A-League should be up to the fans - Tim Cahill
When it comes to Usain Bolt potentially joining the A-League or any other issue in football, Tim Cahill believes it should boil down to what the fans want.
Central Coast chief executive Shaun Mielekamp has flown to London this weekend with high hopes of signing a deal for Bolt to undertake a six-week trial.
Football Federation Australia must tip in about $900,000 from its marquee fund, established to help clubs sign stars capable of boosting the A-League’s profile, for the Mariners to sign the eight-time Olympic champion.
The FFA is yet to indicate whether Bolt would satisfy the criteria that governs whether clubs can access marquee funds, suggesting that bridge will be crossed after a trial.
“Really in football, all that matters is what the fans want,” Cahill said when asked about Bolt’s proposed A-League stint.
“He’s a fantastic world-class athlete. Now he has to prove his fitness and prove he can play football.
“If he can, then it could be a success.
“I can’t really comment on whether he can do it because I’ve never seen him play.”
Bolt, who holds the 100m and 200m world records, retired from sprinting last year and has been linked with moves to the Central Coast Mariners, the Las Vegas Lights, as well as clubs in Turkey and Hungary.
Many pundits believe signing the Jamaican sprinter would be a poor use of money from FFA’s marquee pot of $3 million.
Sydney FC captain Alex Brosque has no issue with the prospect of the fund being used to recruit Bolt.
“It’s good. I think it’s great. If we can attract big names, that’s what we want to do,” Brosque told AAP.
“We want bums on seats.
“If someone like Usain is going to do that — provided he can provide something on the field for the Mariners — then I’m all for it.”
Bolt has already trained with German club Borussia Dortmund, Norwegian outfit Stromsgodset and South African side Mamelodi Sundowns this year.
“To have him here and everything he can bring, in terms of media and awareness, would be great,” Brosque said.
“The fact he’s trialling is very good.
“If he’s good enough, it’d be great to see him on the field. Provided I’m not marking him then all good.”
Global News
ESPN FC's Shaka Hislop explains why he doesn't see Usain Bolt's six-week A-League trial as anything more than a piece of commercialism.
Sprinting great Usain Bolt appears close to securing a trial stint with the Central Coast Mariners. When it comes to Usain Bolt potentially joining...
When it comes to Usain Bolt potentially joining the A-League or any other issue in football, Tim Cahill believes it should boil down to what the fans want.
Central Coast chief executive Shaun Mielekamp has flown to London this weekend with high hopes of signing a deal for Bolt to undertake a six-week trial.
Football Federation Australia must tip in about $900,000 from its marquee fund, established to help clubs sign stars capable of boosting the A-League's profile, for the Mariners to sign the eight-time Olympic champion.
The FFA is yet to indicate whether Bolt would satisfy the criteria that governs whether clubs can access marquee funds, suggesting that bridge will be crossed after a trial.
"Really in football, all that matters is what the fans want," Cahill said when asked about Bolt's proposed A-League stint.
"He's a fantastic world-class athlete. Now he has to prove his fitness and prove he can play football.
"If he can, then it could be a success.
"I can't really comment on whether he can do it because I've never seen him play."
Bolt, who holds the 100m and 200m world records, retired from sprinting last year and has been linked with moves to the Central Coast Mariners, the Las Vegas Lights, as well as clubs in Turkey and Hungary.
Many pundits believe signing the Jamaican sprinter would be a poor use of money from FFA's marquee pot of $3 million.
Sydney FC captain Alex Brosque has no issue with the prospect of the fund being used to recruit Bolt.
"It's good. I think it's great. If we can attract big names, that's what we want to do," Brosque told AAP.
"We want bums on seats.
"If someone like Usain is going to do that -- provided he can provide something on the field for the Mariners -- then I'm all for it."
Bolt has already trained with German club Borussia Dortmund, Norwegian outfit Stromsgodset and South African side Mamelodi Sundowns this year.
"To have him here and everything he can bring, in terms of media and awareness, would be great," Brosque said.
"The fact he's trialling is very good.
"If he's good enough, it'd be great to see him on the field. Provided I'm not marking him then all good."
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