Usain Bolt Leaves Australia After Trial Period Ends With Central Coast Mariners
Central Coast Mariners offered Usain Bolt a $ 1,50,000 contract, which was rejected by him, demanding $3 million (Pic: IANS).
Usain Bolt, pursuing a career in football after retiring from athletics, left Australia after his period of trial ended with A-League club Central Coast Mariners.
The 32-year-old Jamaican, eight time Olympic sprint champion, joined the A-League side for an "indefinite training period" in August. After undergoing training, he scored two goals in his first match for the Mariners — a pre-season friendly — but was kept out of the mix when the season began.
Last month, the Mariners had proposed a contract for Bolt, and the club needed external assistance to make the deal viable. According to reports, the club initially offered him a $ 1,50,000 contract, which was rejected outright by Bolt, who wanted $3 million.
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Mariners were clear that they would not let Bolt play further unless the star sprinter’s management secure a contribution from a "third party" to make the deal financially viable. That, however had hindrances as the Bolt’s huge price tag didn’t go well with the Australian football bosses to start with. In addition to that, many established players in A-League also expressed their unhappiness. After all, here was a player, who is at best an amateur, demanding a salary which is higher than what many seasoned pros draw in the league.
The Central Coast Mariners and Bolt's representative, Ricky Simms, were in talks with many potential partners to figure out a deal so that the Australian club could hire the sprint superstar.
"Despite the several promising potential partners, Bolt and the Central Coast Mariners concluded amicably that they will not be able to reach an adequate agreement in a timely manner," the the club said in a statement on November 2.
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"I would like to thank the Central Coast Mariners owners, management, staff, players and fans for making me feel welcome during my time there. I wish the club success for the season ahead," said Bolt.
The Central Coast Mariners was the fourth team Bolt approached after testing with Borussia Dortmund of Germany, Mamelodi Sundowns FC of South Africa and Stromsgodset Toppfotball of Norway. He turned down a two-year deal from Malta club Valletta FC (the Maltese champions) last month.
It remains to be seen where Bolt would be heading next to begin his football career which is looking to be more difficult than what the sprint king had originally anticipated.
(With inputs from IANS)
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