Australian International Azani’s Amateur League Appearance Suspected of Dual Violations, May Avoid Heavy Punishment

According to ESPN: Australian international and Melbourne City player, former Manchester City star Azani, has sparked controversy for playing in a sixth-tier amateur league for an Australian side, which is currently under investigation by the relevant authorities. However, Azani may escape severe punishment.

Last Saturday, Azani played for Coogee United, the team he represented during his youth, in a match of Australia’s sixth-tier league, causing significant controversy. After all, as a player for Melbourne Victory, how could he represent another team in a league?

Azani’s action is suspected of dual violations. Firstly, according to the rules of the Eastern Suburbs Football Association (ESFA), players participating in the sixth-tier league must be amateurs and officially registered, which Azani clearly is not. Furthermore, Melbourne Victory’s coaching staff and management are very unhappy with Azani’s actions, as the team is about to start their summer training camp, and the risk of injury for a player representing another team in an amateur league in heavy rain is high, potentially causing losses to his employer.

However, ESPN believes that Azani may avoid punishment. Melbourne Victory declined to comment, merely stating that they will address the issue when preseason training begins later this week. Similarly, the ESFA also refused to comment, only indicating that they would investigate the matter.

Azani is an Australian international. This former prodigy made his appearance at the 2018 World Cup in Russia at the age of 19 and subsequently joined Premier League giants Manchester City. However, his development has been rocky since then, with loan spells in the Scottish Premiership, Eredivisie, and Danish Superliga before returning to the A-League. Last season, he performed well for Melbourne Victory, scoring four goals and providing six assists in 27 A-League appearances as a midfielder and winger, earning him a recall to the national team after a six-year absence.