Farina fighting for his A-League future

An embattled Frank Farina has denied he's a problem drinker as he fights to remain
as Brisbane Roar coach.

Suspended indefinitely for drink-driving, Farina's future is set to become clearer
on Tuesday morning when the cash-strapped club are expected to announce a decision
after an internal investigation.
The former Socceroos coach and player fronted Brisbane's seven-man board on Monday
night to plead his case but remains prepared to "cop it sweet" after apologising for
driving under the influence on his way to training early Saturday morning.
Farina defiantly ruled out resigning before the board meeting despite internet news
reports he had fallen on his sword after calling an impromptu press conference at
the Roar's Ballymore headquarters.
"No. I love the game too much. I love the club too much," said Queensland's
highest-profile soccer identity.
But he nervously admitted he didn't have "the strongest of cases" for retention
following his second offence for drink driving in two-and-a-half years.
Farina, 45, said he was genuinely surprised he was over the limit when he recorded a
0.12 blood alcohol reading the morning after drinking a bottle of white and a couple
of reds.
"I would never have got into my car with my son or anyone else if I thought I'd been
drinking and I was over the limit," he said.
"Whatever the board deem is necessary (I'll accept), I don't have any defence apart
from what I've just said.
"They have been fantastic to me since I've been here. They're a good board.
"I'll cop it but I still think I've got something to offer here for the club and for
the game."
Farina led the Roar to third place in the A-League in the past two seasons but they
currently sit sixth in the competition and are battling an image problem.
Brisbane's crowds are well down and the Roar's players have conceded 36 yellow cards
in 10 matches this season, making them easily the worst offenders in the league.
High-ranking club officials are determined to draw a line in the sand and make a
fresh start which could make Farina's days numbered.
If he is axed, captain Craig Moore looms as a possible captain-coach or recently
retired former player Stu McLaren could take the reins from assistant Rado Vidosic.
It's understood the Roar would struggle to entice a high-profile coach due to their
financial constraints.
However club director Emmanuel Drivas, an owner of major sponsor The Coffee Club,
insisted sponsors were staunch in their support of the club.
Farina said he was aware of rumours he required alcohol management counselling but
dismissed them as unfair and off the mark.
"To be brutally honest over the years that I've been playing and coaching there have
been a lot of rumours and innuendo about myself," he said. "If I had taken those on
board I'd probably be in a grave already.
"I'm not perfect, I do like a drink, but I don't think anyone could say I've been in
a problem where I've been out getting in trouble."
Farina also denied he was a "control freak" and welcomed the possible appointment of
a director of football to reduce his responsibilities.
The coach took issue with reports he ruled the club with an iron fist in his three
years in charge.