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No "culture of systemic rorting" at Glory: Tony Sage

17th April, 2015
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Perth Glory owner Tony Sage is adamant the A-League club doesn’t have a culture of systemic rorting, saying he’s as gutted as anyone that the team has been kicked out of the finals.

Perth will be relegated to seventh at the end of the season and fined $269,000 after finally admitting their guilt over salary cap breaches.

Chief executive Jason Brewer resigned on Thursday, with some fans calling for Sage to follow suit.

Sage penned an open letter to the club’s fans on Friday apologising for the whole affair.

“The events during this time have left us all feeling shocked, sad, angry and very disappointed,” Sage wrote of the team being found guilty of exceeding the salary cap by $400,000.

“Unfortunately, I can’t undo what has been done. However, the club has already taken steps to ensure this never happens again.

“I must stress that while the club has accepted the FFA’s sanctions and fines, the club does not have a culture of systemic rorting.

“We reiterate that all payments were made from the club’s bank account.”

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Coach Kenny Lowe says the club needs an urgent overhaul of their protocols if they are to avoid a repeat of the fiasco.

The Glory have failed dismally in finding the right off-field formula for success in recent years.

Former Socceroo Alistair Edwards was given free rein of the club’s football department during his time as coach, but the move backfired disastrously.

Edwards, who signed his two sons and was perceived to favour them, ended up getting turfed out in a player-led revolt.

To avoid a repeat of that, Lowe was given little power when he was appointed as the club’s full-time coach a year ago.

That also ended badly, with the club’s hierarchy hashing out a series of dubious player deals unbeknown to Lowe.

“Maybe a hybrid version of both regimes (would be the right way to go),” Lowe said on Friday.

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“There might be some things put in place that allows us to have more control at this end over things that happen.”

Given the serious nature of Perth’s salary cap breaches, it’s understood players may have the right to break their contracts early and leave the club at the end of the season.

Lowe said he had been given no indication a mass exodus was on the cards.

But if any players want to leave, Lowe won’t stand in their way.

“I’ve just said to the guys that if you’re not happy, you’ve got to look after yourself,” Lowe said.

“It’s a funny game. The only person who looks after you in this game is you.

“It’s ruthless, it’s horrible. But also it gives you something else that’s magnificent and joyful.

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“Sometimes it’s a great place to be, and sometimes it’s the worst place in the world to be. That’s football.

“The players have been superb. They listened, they’ve worked hard. They might be feeling hurt inside. But hey, we can all be a chameleon.”

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