IF Clive Palmer asked for a reaction, he got it. Just not the one he wanted. Two days into his bid to run the game's agenda through his lobby horse, Football Australia, he's in danger of falling flat on his face. Money might buy a megaphone, but it doesn't necessarily buy influence.
The allies Palmer had been hoping for are deserting in droves. Frank Lowy has marshalled the troops and their loyalty is clear. Legally, Palmer might be able to stall the inevitable, but as a football figure, he's on borrowed time. Don't slam the door on your way out, Professor Clive.
First came the rebuke from his own players at Gold Coast United, who didn't want a bar of his madcap plan to launch a rebel league. Then came the bizarre unveiling of Football Australia and a wishlist of grand demands.
Within hours, one of his usual supporters, Perth Glory owner Tony Sage, distanced himself from the stoush. By mid-afternoon yesterday, the owners of Central Coast Mariners, Melbourne Heart, Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory had also declined to join the Palmer camp.
''There are many points raised by Clive Palmer that have merit, and indeed they have been raised and discussed between the owners, and with the FFA on several occasions,'' Mariners chairman Peter Turnbull said.
''But other issues raised by Clive do not - the manner of their raising is also most unfortunate and simply not helpful
there is no doubt that after seven years of ever-increasing losses, the [A-League club] owners' stamina and willingness to donate to the cause of football is wearing thin
the way that this issue has developed to its current state is not the right way.
''This episode is damaging the game I love
I urge all parties to put aside their disputes for the good of the game.''
Melbourne Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro went harder, saying the dispute was a ''byplay'' that distracted from the fact that the A-League was in good shape.
Melbourne Heart chairman Peter Sidwell added: ''The actions of Clive Palmer are unhelpful and detrimental to the betterment of the game.''
While Reds chairman Greg Griffin said: ''It's a complete nonsense and a waste of everyone's time
What a stupid and mindless entity, and not even the dumbest of dumb would take this entity seriously.''
Not surprisingly, Sydney FC, the club part-owned by Lowy, won't be defecting to the Palmer camp, nor will Wellington Phoenix, whose captain, Andrew Durante, said: ''It's a sad time for the league, and hopefully the FFA get through it on top. It almost seems like Gold Coast [Palmer] have been waiting for this court case - they've pushed all the wrong buttons. The FFA was put into a corner, and they had to act.''
The view of Brisbane Roar's owners, the Bakrie Group, hasn't been made public. It also owns Indonesia's Pelita Jaya and when a rebel league was formed last year, stayed loyal to the federation.
This means, at best, Palmer has one ally left - Nathan Tinkler, the owner of Newcastle Jets. Rebel League? Not unless it's a five-a-side competition.
The players won't side with Palmer, nor will the clubs. Both FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation have also been quick to support the FFA.
It's Palmer, literally, against the world. The football world. Bigger than any one man, who is now looking very small by comparison.
