BRISBANE Roar skipper Matt McKay on Wednesday night called for his club and Football Federation Australia to “take responsibility” for the financial mess plaguing the three-time A-League champions.

A-League boss Damien de Bohun addressed McKay and his Roar teammates after the embattled club’s 1-0 trial loss to Melbourne Victory at Southport.

Joining de Bohun was Professional Footballers Australia chief executive Adam Vivian, who wants FFA to act sooner rather than later.

Roar players and staff have still only been paid part of their monthly wages that were due last Saturday, and are also owed superannuation. The players have also had to contribute to their medical expenses.

Roar chairman Chris Fong, senior vice-president of club owners the Bakrie Group, remains in Europe attempting to finalise the sale of the club to a consortium of Australian and foreign investors.

It is a sale that may not be completed until next month, with Football Federation Australia wanting to give the Bakries every chance to complete the deal rather than take control of the club now.

McKay, who doubles as PFA president, admitted it had been tough to concentrate on football during the club’s ongoing off-field struggles.

media_camera Brisbane Roar’s Dimitri Petratos has a shot on Wednesday night.

“This whole pre-season’s been a bit disruptive with everything behind the scenes,” he said.

“As players we want the club to do well, but ultimately our contracts are there for us to be looked after.

“The club and the FFA have to take responsibility and really get us back in shape.”

Vivian echoed McKay’s sentiments.

“The intervention of the federation is contingent upon getting the players’ payment made … but in fairness, it doesn’t retire the outstanding obligation,” Vivian said.

“But how protracted can this negotiation be for the sale? There’s going to come a time in the very near future … that we’ll be saying to the federation it’s time to intervene, otherwise there’s going to be other legal avenues that are going to have to be explored.”

Former Roar fullback Jason Geria scored the only goal of the game on Wednesday night with his deflected 71st minute shot leaving Brisbane goalkeeper Jamie Young stranded.

Both sides found it tough to on the bumpy oval, the home of Queensland AFL team Southport Sharks.

Few chances were created, although the Roar’s Dimitri Petratos and Victory veteran Archie Thompson both had half-opportunities they could not convert in the first half.

Roar midfielder Luke Brattan was a match-day withdrawal because of the flu, joining marquee man Thomas Broich (foot), Jean Carlos Solorzano (foot), Corey Brown (quad) and long-term casualties Michael Theo, Henrique and Luke DeVere on the sidelines.

The Victory’s starting side included Fahid Ben Khalfallah, Matthieu Delpierre and Carl Valeri, with former Roar pair Besart Berisha and Kosta Barbarouses named among the substitutes.