Brian Fletcher, the CEO of the Penrith Panthers, has faced criticism from the soccer community for his suggestion that Mary Fowler should return to Australia in order to be near Nathan Cleary.
For months, there have been rumors that Cleary is thinking about moving from the NRL to the English Super League in order to spend more time with his girlfriend, Fowler, who plays women’s soccer for Manchester City in the top league.
Being one of the best female soccer players in the world means that Fowler spends most of her time in the UK and Europe. However, it means she will have limited opportunities to spend time with Cleary when he is playing for the Panthers during the NRL season.
However, with four premierships already won with Penrith, the NRL great has very little left to accomplish in Australia. He will travel to England this week to spend time with Fowler, and he has already stated that he is interested to playing in the Super League someday.
Fletcher was unavoidably questioned about the rumors that Cleary would decide his future is in England and request a release during the Panthers’ fan day in Penrith on Wednesday. However, he often said that Fowler might return to Australia.
Fletcher stated, “It might be the other away around,” during a Channel 7 interview. “Mary will come back here I’d say to be closer to him.” He also told Channel 9: “That’s CEO of the football department Matt Cameron’s job to bring her back here permanently.
At first glance, Fletcher’s remarks seemed lighthearted, but his interview with Channel 7 was really serious. Furthermore, it’s nearly inconceivable that Fowler would abandon her career with one of the biggest teams in the world of soccer in order to return to Australia and play for the Western Sydney Wanderers or any other A-League team, as many in the soccer community are pointing out.
The likelihood of Cleary playing in England before Fowler does in Australia seems much more likely. On Wednesday, seasoned soccer analyst Ray Gatt said on social media: “Really, Penrith? Are they attempting to persuade Mary Fowler to return to Sydney so they can continue to have Nathan Cleary play in the league? No way! Mary is looking forward to a wonderful career of her own!
“Why would she give that up when she has her entire career ahead of her,” someone else wrote. She might become a global celebrity. All for a guy who participates in a sport that the majority of people have never heard of.”
Some called Fletcher’s remarks “delusional” and “embarrassing,” while another made a joke: “St Tropez or Penrith Beach? difficult choice. “Small sport mentality,” said a fourth commenter. She can play throughout the entire world. In essence, he has three states plus New Zealand. She will not be relocating to Penrith.