Soccer: Time to shrug off Boutsianis and move ahead

By TERRY MADDAFORD

No one is blaming Kingz coach Mike Petersen for finally turning his back on runaway midfielder Con Boutsianis.

The issue, says Petersen, is now with the Football Kingz board.

It is time for them to act.

While new chief executive Chris Turner remains adamant that the wayward one - as famous for his role as the getaway driver in a restaurant robbery as any deeds on the football pitch - will return, he refuses to put a "time-line" on it.

Ducking for cover, surely, on an issue which needs to be resolved - and quickly.

Boutsianis was brought to Auckland by Petersen "to do a job."

That he chose to up and leave, for whatever reason, should not be allowed to disrupt Petersen's strategy to bring success and credit to the Auckland-based club.

If Boutsianis opts to walk away from a game he has been part of for so long - and that seems his only option if he refuses to return to Auckland and the Kingz - then the board should accept that.

Then just as quickly they should institute whatever legal action they feel necessary and give Petersen the chance to find a worthy replacement.

Running a 19-strong squad without key players - Boutsianis and Che Bunce have yet to kick a ball and will not for some time at least - does nothing for nobody.

Already reduced to 17, the Kingz are also without injured midfielder Gerard Davis, and had captain Sean Douglas on the sideline at training yesterday after treatment on a leg injury.

With only 15 fit players, resources are stretched.

Petersen philosophically refuses to let things throw him.

There is no doubt that Boutsianis, who was good enough for a call-up to the Socceroos this year, could do a vital job for the Kingz.

But not while he is on the other side of the Tasman and seemingly holding the Kingz to ransom.

And then, does Petersen and the rest of the squad really want, or need, a player whose heart is so obviously elsewhere?

Petersen says it is not an issue for him or the players.

Others, including the fans, might not be so forgiving.