North Queensland Fury chairman Don Matheson believes comments made by Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek will keep stars from coming home. Recently, Verbeek commented about Jason Culina who has signed with Gold Coast United saying it will be difficult for him to keep his place in the national team when he is no longer playing in Europe.

The Fury are currently trying to persuade FC Basel defender Scott Chipperfield to come home and play in the A-League but Matheson is worried that outside parties may deter him from making the move.

"His focus is on his own job. He's doing a great job, and I don't want to work against that," Matheson said about Verbeek.

"But the rest of us are trying to build up the A-League. We're busting our guts to raise the capital to bring players like 'Chippers' home, and this could not have come at a worse time.

"If I was a player, I'd probably be worried about what he's saying … We're right at the death in terms of the negotiations (with Chipperfield), and now the worry is this could have an impact.

"We'd be shattered if this affects his decision."