Sage withdraws threat to quit Perth Glory

Updated December 23, 2011 13:09:32

Perth Glory owner Tony Sage has apologised to fans and sponsors for suggesting he may quit the soccer club.

The mining entrepreneur was reconsidering his position after he was abused by supporters following the club's two-one loss to Melbourne Heart last weekend.

But, in a lengthy letter issued today, Sage says he now regrets the comments he made about stepping down and that he remains committed to the club.

In the letter, Sage describes himself first and foremost as "a mad, passionate Glory fan".

He says there were times when that passion, mixed with a healthy dose of frustration, caused his feelings to overflow.

Sage has also called for changes to Glory's funding model, saying the club cannot continue to rely on him to fund its activities indefinitely.

Sage has told ABC local radio that playing at Perth Oval is not affordable for the club and it will have to restructure the stadium agreement or find an alternative venue.

"We're looking at every single option, we get stymied here, stymied there, but look, any stadium deal has got to be crux of the matter for Perth Glory going forward as a viable business entity in its own right," Mr Sage said.

Tags: soccer, perth-6000

First posted December 23, 2011 12:28:09

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Japan withdraws from Copa America

Posted May 18, 2011 08:20:00

Japan has scrapped plans to play in the prestigious Copa America football tournament after initially deciding to compete in the wake of the devastating March 11 quake and tsunami.

"We are sorry to inform you that the Japanese team cannot participate in the Copa America 2011 in Argentina," the Japanese Football Association (JFA) said in a letter to the Argentine Football Federation. "We apologise deeply."

Japan and Mexico were invited as teams from outside South America to play in the regional tournament in July, where the Japanese had been drawn in Group A with the hosts, Bolivia and Colombia.

But its attendance was cast into doubt after the huge earthquake and tsunami laid waste to much of the country's Pacific coast.

Initially the JFA said it would send the national team in spite of the devastation, but it has struggled to convince European clubs to release their Japanese star players ahead of the start of the new season.

"Under the current circumstance, we cannot form a team competitive for Copa America," JFA President Junji Ogura told reporters in Tokyo.

"Based on the judgement, we have unfortunately decided to decline," Ogura said. "It is extremely regrettable."

The South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) confirmed later Tuesday that Costa Rica have been invited to replace Japan in the tournament.

- AFP

Tags: sport, football, football-south-america, japan

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