Del Piero an All Stars doubt

Conflict ... will the star act be in Japan or in Sydney? Source: Mark Evans / News Limited

The punters want Alessandro Del Piero to line up against Manchester United, but the A-League's most popular striker could be unavailable for the marquee match on July 20 at ANZ Stadium.

Fairfax reports that Del Piero's staff are organising a match for Sydney FC in Japan -  a country where Del Piero enjoys considerable popularity - against J-League side Sagan Tosu on July 24. 

While the Italian star, the most selected striker in Foxtel A-League All Stars voting, has been heavily used as part of the promotion for the side, but could be unavailable and in Japan preparing with Sydney FC. 

It is likely to set up a heated conversation between the Sydney FC marquee, Football Federation Australia and Sydney FC.

"The question of availability is something we are working through at the moment. We certainly haven’t ruled out any players at this stage," FFA chief executive David Gallop said.

"The fans have voted strongly to see Alessandro Del Piero in the All Stars team and that’s no surprise. He came with a huge reputation and lived up to it.

"The same applies to Shinji Ono and Emile Heskey. These marquee players are understandably very popular. The fans want to see them in the All Stars and so do we.’’

Sydney FC stand to benefit financially should the friendly be set up in a country where Del Piero's standing is so strong his personal company operates a full-time office in Tokyo. 

Del Piero isn't the only star whose involvement is in doubt.

Former Melbourne Victory player Marco Rojas is more than likely to be at a German Bundesliga club; Jeremy Brockie has just gone on loan to Toronto FC, while the All Stars' Socceroos contingent will likely be at the East Asian Cup, which starts on the same night.

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