Billionaire Gold Coast United owner Clive Palmer is once again in hot water after accusing the Football Federation Australia of corruption.
The FFA on Friday afternoon hit Palmer with a code of conduct charge after the outspoken Coast chairman alleged the governing body had an agenda against his club.
The iron ore baron faces sanctions for a withering attack on the FFA, published in the Gold Coast Bulletin, in response to United coach Miron Bleiberg’s citing for his reaction to Steve Pantelidis’ five-match ban this week.
Palmer, who raised the FFA’s ire in October for capping the Skilled Park crowds at 5000, claimed A-League bosses didn’t want the Coast, joint leaders with Melbourne, to host the final.
“The FFA are worried that we will win the major semi-final and then enjoy hosting rights for a match they don’t want to see in Queensland,” he told the Gold Coast Bulletin.
“It’s all about getting the game to Victoria and NSW, despite the fact we have the best team in the league.
“They are getting very nervous and this whole things smells of corruption and undue influence to me. It’s not fair to Miron or the team. All he is doing is a good job as a coach.
“The FFA should pay more attention to making the books balance – which they don’t at the moment – and also promoting the game rather than going after Miron.”
The FFA on Friday advised it had issued Palmer with a notice under its Code of Conduct.
“FFA strongly denies the allegations,” it said in a statement.
“FFA re-affirmed that as with prior seasons, FFA determines the location of the Hyundai A-League Grand Final taking into account a range of considerations but added that it was too early to speculate on this before the regular season had ended.”
Palmer has until next Monday afternoon to respond.
Bleiberg triggered a domino effect by saying Pantelidis’ season-ending ban for hitting out at Melbourne’s Robbie Kruse was due to the media judging him before the FFA’s match review panel met.
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Brendan G said | February 6th 2010 @ 7:05am | Report comment
At the start of the A league season Palmer said GC would go through the season undefeated. It lasted a few games…This combined with the latest story & the home crowd furore… What a knucklehead
Majara said | February 6th 2010 @ 1:48pm | Report comment
Maybe he should just shut up and let his team do the talking as they are going well. If Gold Coast United ever come though tough times and he is still there, an outburst like that will not help much sympathy come his way for the team. Owners should just be that – owners. Not the spokesperson.
bever fever said | February 6th 2010 @ 3:30pm | Report comment
Palmer is a present from soccer to GC17.
Private ownership of what should be member driven clubs in this country are a farce.
Victer said | February 6th 2010 @ 4:16pm | Report comment
GC17′s competition is the titans
Footbal Person said | February 6th 2010 @ 4:16pm | Report comment
Wow… if that quote really is a qoute………..wow. Going after Miron?……. it bogols the mind
I cant blame the FFA if they don’t want the final in GC, i can see them getting 18,000 attending(10,000 Melburnians/Sydney(ites ? )
MV Dave said | February 6th 2010 @ 8:05pm | Report comment
Palmer has just signed the biggest coal export deal ever with the Chinese…nearly $70 billion…yep billion. May not have the football smarts yet but we really need him to stay involved in the game…
bever fever said | February 8th 2010 @ 4:17pm | Report comment
Wrong, it appears he is not doing it for the right reasons. Community member based clubs are far more powerful.
If you have the mentality that a rich benefactor is going to save your club you are quite mistaken.
Punter said | February 8th 2010 @ 4:26pm | Report comment
It would be great if you had both. But being a new entity, a rich benefactor is a good start.