If "CCM released him to go to Japan & hence when he left japan he was unattached" then there should be no debate on him playing for the Phoenix right now, he would just have a future clause to go back to Mariners to dispute.
I think there is something else going on...or he would be allowed to play right now.
No he was released to play in Japan ... and even if that meant he could play for you it would only be until 1 Jan...
I think if there was no change in ownership it would be quite straight forward .. he was contracted to the Mariners ... I guess the position is and I read it in a post a few miles back that FFA rules do not allow clubs to change ownerships to avoid paying players and that contracts should roll over ..
However if it was that and dried it would be already over ... or someone at FFA are / is being slack or poor in their job... certainty the PFA believe [well they say it publicly] MC is a free agent... but asking my question I am sure the same PFA would be screaming for his money if he had been injured in Japan...
Something that has not been brought up before is the nature and funding of the Mariners ... I assume most on YF know we are a club that has a very successful youth academy and arguably the best training facilities of any club in Australia further the development of juniors to be on sold overseas from players developed by the academy and club [both junior and some senior] is a major source of funding.... Further most years we have sold many of our best players and this is seen as a way of gaining revenue and obtaining high class players at the same time.... Winning this case would be considered I assume by the Mariners board as important if for nothing else as a single to players don't try and use legal loop holes to leave.
We have two hugely talented kids from our academy this year ... one is rated as our best junior ever ... so maybe this a line in the sand for teh board ... but I guess and offer for debate rather than actual knowledge...