Eugene Approved
Posted: Mon Jun 07, 2010 3:02 pm
FIFA has granted Australia permission to replace goalkeeper Brad Jones in their World Cup squad after he was granted leave due to a family illlness.
Jones has returned to Perth in Australia to be with his family after his young son was reportedly diagnosed with leukemia. Australia applied to FIFA for the right to replace Jones, should he not return to South Africa in time for the tournament, based on the 'special circumstances' surrounding his absence.
FIFA has agreed to the request, allowing Eugene Galekovic, who was already in South Africa training with Australia as an extra squad member, to replace Jones as Pim Verbeek's third choice goalkeeper behind Mark Schwarzer and Adam Federici if the Middlesbrough player remains at home. Understandably, it is not yet uncertain whether Jones will return to South Africa.
Verbeek said he would understand if Jones decided to remain in Australia to be with his family: "We expect him not to come back - that says enough about the seriousness of the matter. We have decided he needs to be with (his family), as long as he needs to be there."
Captain Lucas Neill said the tragic news came as a shock to the entire squad, but that the players would rally behind Jones and fully support their team-mate.
"We consider ourselves a family, and the news was devastating. It hit all the boys for six," Neill said. "We wish Brad and his family all the strength and the luck they're going to need. I'm sure the character that he is, he'll be big and strong for his family. He has our support."
A Federation Football Australia statement issued on Sunday read: "Socceroos goalkeeper Brad Jones has been granted leave from the 2010 FIFA World Cup camp after receiving news of a serious illness in his family. Jones left South Africa yesterday [Saturday] to be with his immediate family and it is unclear at this stage whether he will return and participate in the tournament. FFA requests that Jones' and his family's privacy are respected during this difficult time.''
Jones has returned to Perth in Australia to be with his family after his young son was reportedly diagnosed with leukemia. Australia applied to FIFA for the right to replace Jones, should he not return to South Africa in time for the tournament, based on the 'special circumstances' surrounding his absence.
FIFA has agreed to the request, allowing Eugene Galekovic, who was already in South Africa training with Australia as an extra squad member, to replace Jones as Pim Verbeek's third choice goalkeeper behind Mark Schwarzer and Adam Federici if the Middlesbrough player remains at home. Understandably, it is not yet uncertain whether Jones will return to South Africa.
Verbeek said he would understand if Jones decided to remain in Australia to be with his family: "We expect him not to come back - that says enough about the seriousness of the matter. We have decided he needs to be with (his family), as long as he needs to be there."
Captain Lucas Neill said the tragic news came as a shock to the entire squad, but that the players would rally behind Jones and fully support their team-mate.
"We consider ourselves a family, and the news was devastating. It hit all the boys for six," Neill said. "We wish Brad and his family all the strength and the luck they're going to need. I'm sure the character that he is, he'll be big and strong for his family. He has our support."
A Federation Football Australia statement issued on Sunday read: "Socceroos goalkeeper Brad Jones has been granted leave from the 2010 FIFA World Cup camp after receiving news of a serious illness in his family. Jones left South Africa yesterday [Saturday] to be with his immediate family and it is unclear at this stage whether he will return and participate in the tournament. FFA requests that Jones' and his family's privacy are respected during this difficult time.''
