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http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,25157562-12428,00.html
FOOTBALL Federation Australia is tipped to control the Adelaide United A-League franchise as early as this week.
United owner Nick Bianco wants to reduce the size of his investment because of the current economic climate but FFA officials are on standby if the building tycoon isn't successful in attracting backers.
"Taking back the licence has been discussed," an FFA source said. "Time frame? These decisions might happen very quickly maybe within 24 or 48 hours, we're not too sure."
The FFA in 2006 took ownership of Perth Glory from WA food magnate Nick Tana before new investors claimed the NSL benchmark club in 2007. The governing body also recently relinquished partial partnership stakes in premier Melbourne Victory and Central Coast.
United officials yesterday denied boss Aurelio Vidmar is a prime coaching target of a lucrative Asian club outside of Japan before the new season starts.
Vidmar's Adelaide contract comes up for renewal in 2012.
United media manager Dom Rinaldo also put to bed a report suggesting skipper Travis Dodd was moving to a Chinese Super League club. "There's nothing in Travis moving anywhere," Rinaldo said.
"Yes, there was interest from Asia but nothing has eventuated."
But Brazilian striker Cristiano, in the middle of a two-year deal, is potentially on his way out if his manager can secure the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup goal-of-the-tournament winner a contract in the off-season. Cristiano was courted by Egyptian Club World Cup side Al Ahly after his stunning goal in Yokohama earned United fifth place at the tournament with a 1-0 win over the African champion. "We've been told Cristiano will be able to walk away from his contract as a free player if we can find him a club," Cristiano's Melbourne-based player-agent Ritchie Hinton said.
"At the moment he has attracted interest from Al Ahly, clubs in Japan, South Korea and China. But at this stage there are no concrete offers and he is happy in Adelaide."
ROBERT Cornthwaite - contracted to United until 2010 - has turned down offers from South Korea's Pohang Steelers and Busan Park.
FORMER Reds defender Sasa Ognenovski's new club Seongnam Ilhwa beat Busan 1-0 in the opening round of the K-League on Saturday.
PERTH Glory is close to securing MetroStars' clever Adelaide-born defender Ivan Karlovic. The former Adelaide City and Sydney Olympic NSL defender is understood to be contemplating a move to the West if he can secure the well-being of his successful Oporto businesses.
Adelaide is becoming a haven for Glory after the club signed midfielder Adriano Pellegrino last year. He won Glory's Most Glorious Player award on Friday after coming close to winning the A-League's Johnny Warren Medal last month.
FOOTBALL Federation Australia is tipped to control the Adelaide United A-League franchise as early as this week.
United owner Nick Bianco wants to reduce the size of his investment because of the current economic climate but FFA officials are on standby if the building tycoon isn't successful in attracting backers.
"Taking back the licence has been discussed," an FFA source said. "Time frame? These decisions might happen very quickly maybe within 24 or 48 hours, we're not too sure."
The FFA in 2006 took ownership of Perth Glory from WA food magnate Nick Tana before new investors claimed the NSL benchmark club in 2007. The governing body also recently relinquished partial partnership stakes in premier Melbourne Victory and Central Coast.
United officials yesterday denied boss Aurelio Vidmar is a prime coaching target of a lucrative Asian club outside of Japan before the new season starts.
Vidmar's Adelaide contract comes up for renewal in 2012.
United media manager Dom Rinaldo also put to bed a report suggesting skipper Travis Dodd was moving to a Chinese Super League club. "There's nothing in Travis moving anywhere," Rinaldo said.
"Yes, there was interest from Asia but nothing has eventuated."
But Brazilian striker Cristiano, in the middle of a two-year deal, is potentially on his way out if his manager can secure the 2008 FIFA Club World Cup goal-of-the-tournament winner a contract in the off-season. Cristiano was courted by Egyptian Club World Cup side Al Ahly after his stunning goal in Yokohama earned United fifth place at the tournament with a 1-0 win over the African champion. "We've been told Cristiano will be able to walk away from his contract as a free player if we can find him a club," Cristiano's Melbourne-based player-agent Ritchie Hinton said.
"At the moment he has attracted interest from Al Ahly, clubs in Japan, South Korea and China. But at this stage there are no concrete offers and he is happy in Adelaide."
ROBERT Cornthwaite - contracted to United until 2010 - has turned down offers from South Korea's Pohang Steelers and Busan Park.
FORMER Reds defender Sasa Ognenovski's new club Seongnam Ilhwa beat Busan 1-0 in the opening round of the K-League on Saturday.
PERTH Glory is close to securing MetroStars' clever Adelaide-born defender Ivan Karlovic. The former Adelaide City and Sydney Olympic NSL defender is understood to be contemplating a move to the West if he can secure the well-being of his successful Oporto businesses.
Adelaide is becoming a haven for Glory after the club signed midfielder Adriano Pellegrino last year. He won Glory's Most Glorious Player award on Friday after coming close to winning the A-League's Johnny Warren Medal last month.
