Agent: Milligan Furious With FFA Ban

Australian defender Mark Milligan will ponder his international future after being axed from the under-23 national team ahead of a pre-Olympic tournament in Malaysia…

May 7, 2008 7:15:14 AM

Mark Milligan -Australia

Milligan missed a Townsville training camp recently when he travelled to Europe to undergo trials with a number of European clubs, including Premier League giants Arsenal.

Milligan’s agent Tom Brookes claimed the 22-year-old alerted Football Federation Australia (FFA) well in advance that he would be arriving late to the camp.

Regardless, the FFA have dropped the under-23 skipper from the team and barred him from competing in the tournament in Malaysia later this month.

"He's not eligible to be selected for that tournament," said FFA spokeswoman Bonita Mersiades.

Not Happy

The FFA’s actions have cast serious doubt over Milligan’s international future, as it is not the first time Milligan has gone AWOL from international duty.

The out-of-contract stopper eloped to Europe immediately after Australia were eliminated from the Asian Cup last year to undergo trials with French clubs FC Metz and RC Lens, missing the start of pre-season training with A-League club Sydney FC.

Brookes claims Milligan is furious with the FFA’s reaction, insisting he plans to appeal the decision.

"Until we lodge the appeal I don't know what options we have, or what alternatives they might come up with," Brookes said.

"He's not happy. It doesn't take a genius to work that out, but Mark doesn't want to comment until we've spoken with the FFA."

Mike Maguire

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