NEIL Middleditch admits time is running out for Darcy Ward to secure his place at Poole Pirates with the Aussie star’s fate still hanging in the balance.
Poole’s team boss launched a scathing attack on the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) after their deliberations on suspended Ward’s future dragged into a third week.
Middleditch urged Pirates promoter Matt Ford to hold fire on his final two team selections for 2015 but conceded that the club could be forced to track an alternative.
Ward, 22, was indefinitely suspended from all speedway in August having failed an alcohol test prior to the Latvian Grand Prix and finally had his frequently-postponed case heard in Geneva, Switzerland on Friday, January 30.
The Daily Echo understands Ward had been told to expect the FIM’s verdict seven days ago but has yet to receive any information since his hearing.
Ward today posted on Twitter: “If it’s not today I [sic] not sure if Poole will wait which takes my whole season away no matter what the verdict is due to visa.”
When contacted by the Daily Echo, Ward politely declined to expand on his tweet.
However, responding to the post, Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “It is tough for Matt (Ford). He has to think of the business and, whatever he decides, he will get my full support.
“But if possible, I would like us to wait.”
Meanwhile, the Pirates manager called for an investigation into the FIM’s practices on the back of the “ludicrous” hold up.
“The FIM are making themselves a laughing stock with their handling of this,” said Middleditch.
“It shows they have little regard or respect for our sport. It is absolutely awful.”
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