Milligan facing the axe
May 02, 2008 12:00am

AUSTRALIA'S Olympic soccer captain Mark Milligan is in grave danger of missing the Games after failing to meet a deadline to arrive at a training camp in Townsville yesterday.

The 22-year-old, clubless after refusing a new deal with Sydney FC, had been told he was required to be in Townsville by yesterday but opted to remain in Europe to finalise a deal before flying back at the weekend.

It's understood that Olyroos coach Graham Arnold is furious with Milligan for not showing up, given his senior status and the squad's limited preparation time before Beijing.

Milligan is planning to join the squad tomorrow but is likely to be told he is not required.

He also faces the ultimate sanction of being discarded from the Games squad.

Last night, Football Australia head of corporate affairs Bonita Mersiades said: "We can confirm that Mark Milligan has not arrived in camp but we will be making no further comment until we have had the chance to speak to the player."

But the player's management company, AMI, insisted they had been in discussions with Arnold all week and that the FFA was well aware of when Milligan would arrive.

"Mark is in Europe but will be in camp on Saturday," a spokesman said.

When midfielder Stuart Musialik missed a camp earlier this year he was left out of the Socceroo squad that went to Singapore.

It is not the first time Milligan has gone missing in action, last year heading to France for a trial without informing Sydney.

Milligan was a standout performer at last year's Asian Cup but his form suffered in the A-League last season, partly through carrying injuries.

Arnold had mustered his squad together ahead of a tournament in Malaysia.