FABIO Ferreira has slammed the ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ which is preventing him from playing against his old club Adelaide United in Gosford on Saturday.

The new Central Coast winger was outraged by the concept which will see him sit out not only Saturday’s clash but also when the Mariners are hosted by Adelaide at Coopers Stadium on March 12.

Ferreira according to the agreement can only face Adelaide this season if the clubs meet during the finals.

“I don’t agree with it but both coaches (Reds Josep Gombau and Mariners Phil Moss) both came to this agreement,’’ Ferreira said.

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“I cannot do anything about it.

“Believe me I want to play and what difference will it make?

“But there’s nothing I can do about it.

“It’s not going to change anything ... just play me that’s what I want...far out.”

A spokesman for Professional Footballers Australia — the players union — said the agreement cannot be legally forced upon the Portuguese after Ferreira signed until 2017 for Mariners last week.

The revered former Chelsea winger who was signed by Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge said he was unhappy at Adelaide during Gombau’s second season in charge.

After having a standout 2013/14 season Ferreira was struck down by an ankle ligament injury in pre season before he was restricted to limited appearances on the right wing despite being one of the most feared forwards in the A-League.

Ferreira was the club’s equal leading goalscorer last season (nine goals) alongside Jeronimo Neumann (Newcastle Jets) who was also jettisoned but before the new season started.

Former Reds boss John Kosmina reignited Ferreira’s career when he signed him from NSW second tier club Dulwich Hill while he was working in his relatives’ Sydney bakery before he became a Reds fans favourite as his unbelievable power and speed made him an instant hit.

“I wasn’t happy at United anymore,’’ Ferreira said.

“I asked the club to let me go and I cannot wait until the end of the season to see what they (Reds) wanted to do. Either you want me or you don’t want me, it’s not that hard.

“I wasn’t feeling as important to the team as I was the year before and I wanted to feel part of something that people want me.”

Now Ferreira is resigned to watching his new club taking on Adelaide from the stands of Central Coast Stadium on Saturday.

Ferreira is set to move into a new apartment in Wamberal — five minutes from the coast — and says he his mindset has changed.

“I am very happy here, the players have taken me in really well,’’ he said.

“I don’t know much about the Central Coast yet but so far I like it already.”

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