- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Football Federation Australia may be forced to step in and assume control of Brisbane Roar if the A-League club’s financial crisis worsens.
Multiple sources on Wednesday claimed FFA was set to take over the Roar’s licence from owners The Bakrie Group following a tumultuous week that has seen the shock departures of managing director Sean Dobson and director of football Ken Stead.
It’s understood the club is behind on payments to several creditors and there are doubts players and staff will be paid on Friday, which is the next due date for wages.
FFA denied it was ready to step in but revealed it was locked in constant talks with chairman Chris Fong, who is now overseeing the day-to-day running of the club in the wake of Dobson’s resignation late on Tuesday.
Dobson is believed to have been held as the scapegoat for the club’s financial ills.
“FFA is in communication with the Brisbane Roar chairman Chris Fong and understands that he is working on bringing some stability to the club’s operations after the departure of the Managing Director and the Football Manager,” said an FFA spokesperson.
“Chris has taken over the day-to-day control only in the past 24 hours, so clearly he will need some time to assess the situation.
“FFA understands that these are challenging circumstances for the Roar players, staff, members and fans, but everyone should remember that this is a club of great achievements and status with a bright future in the A-League.”
Fong last week strenuously denied reports that Brisbane was bound for a $2.25 million loss this financial year and rejected claims there were plans to make massive cuts to expenditure to reduce next year’s loss by nearly $2 million.
Fong was unable to be reached for comment on Wednesday.
A collection of local businessmen, including at least one former owner, is reportedly keen to rescue the club if required.
The Roar was most recently under FFA control when The Bakrie Group bought a majority stake in the club in September 2011.
Before that, the club was owned by Brisbane entrepreneurs Emmanuel Drivas, Emmanuel Kokoris, Claude Baradel and Serge Baradel.
The deposed A-League champions are also without a head coach and it is not known how the latest developments will affect the search for a successor to caretaker Frans Thijssen, who is no longer with the club.
Spaniard Ramon Tribulietx has long been regarded as their next coach-in-waiting.
The appointment has taken on an added importance since Fong revealed to AAP the positions of football director and technical director would be abolished, with the new coach to be given total control over the football department.
Rival clubs are already making contractual decisions with a view to the 2015/16 season.
The Bakrie Group has been on the lookout for a co-investor to “share the vision” it has for the future – and to help bear the significant financial burden of owning an A-League franchise – since December last year.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.