THERE’S been talk for weeks that Football Federation Australia want to cut short the current TV deal in order to find a new free-to-air partner, because the SBS connection has been such a let-down. (The fact FFA actually helped ABC outbid SBS for the Asian Cup speaks volumes.)

Now a real conspiracy theory is gathering legs. Given that the government wants to cut funding to SBS, the theory goes, politicians might not be too upset to see the TV network have to give up the A-League rights to save money.

media_camera David Gallop has a beer and a chat with prime minister Tony Abbott.

Word is that FFA officials have been quietly raising such a scenario with those in power, held behind closed doors as these whispered conversations tend to be. And we all know how well connected Frank Lowy is.

If it came to pass, David Gallop is confident he can get a significantly better TV deal as Ten and Seven have shown their interest. Those who know reckon David Gyngell at Nine is pretty interested, and has a very longstanding relationship with Gallop.

media_camera David Carney wage demands were reportedly too high for Sydney FC boss Graham Arnold.

Carney’s price too high

SYDNEY FC were very interested in David Carney, but not that interested — not close-to-$300,000 interested. Sky Blues coach Graham Arnold was encouraged to bring Carney back into the fold, seven years after he left the club, but was gobsmacked when he heard what the former Socceroo was seeking to sign a deal.

Admittedly Carney has been the Jets’ best player by a street this season (and Newcastle were adamant he was going nowhere anyway as an under-contract player), but no deal will happen at those kind of numbers, nowhere near.

Arnie pays the price

GRAHAM Arnold got fined $5,000 for slamming refs with “personal gratuitous comments directed more at the individual rather than an incident or decision”, according to FFA.

How can calling all A-League referees pathetic be directed at an individual?

Champions get gold star

GETTING the gold star approved on their jersey wasn’t a straightforward process for the Wanderers because, until Thursday, FFA had no policy to incorporate symbols recognising teams successes on their playing kits.

It took a year of being stonewalled by FFA before Brisbane Roar were allowed to change their badge. But the Western Sydney club, who had a deadline on the manufacturing of their kits, put pressure on the governing body to allow them to display a gold star in recognition of the AFC Champions League win.

media_camera Marcos Flores’s A-League career could finally be over after leaving the Newcastle Jets.

Flores falls foul

MARCOS Flores is the latest player to leave the Newcastle Jets, after Sam Gallaway signed for the Wanderers, but there could be more heading for the exit door. David Carney has already been linked to Sydney FC, while young defender Andrew Hoole is also rumoured to be close to signing with the Sky Blues.

Nix poached by SuperSport

WELLINGTON Phoenix will lose their second player to South African football club SuperSport United. Jeremy Brockie has already linked up with the Pretoria-based club, and defender Michael Boxall will follow at the end of the season.