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Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) have joined Football Federation Australia in slamming the non-payment of Brisbane Roar players.
The PFA has called for urgent reviews into how FFA funds for player payments are spent by clubs and also the ownership of the Roar by the Singapore-based Bakrie Group.
This came after it was revealed in a document on Tuesday that Brisbane Roar players and staff had not been paid the wages they were due on June 15.
One part of the document sent from management to staff and players and then later partially made public read: “To be completely transparent, since the sudden departure of the Managing Director last month we have uncovered very serious financial liabilities.”
“(Interim chief executive) David Pourre and myself have been working tirelessly over the past 5-6 weeks uncovering more damage and we have worked on a re-structure plan that will return the club to a healthy position.”
The news comes just months after Newcastle Jets staff were not paid on time by then owner Nathan Tinkler.
The PFA wanted quick answers.
“Under the current A-League Collective Bargaining Agreement, the FFA dividend is quarantined for players payments,” said a PFA spokesperson.
“The honouring and implementation of this provision by the clubs and FFA requires urgent review.
“The PFA will continue to pursue reforms, including contract security for players, which are aimed at ensuring that this situation is never repeated.”
While the A-League has continued to improve its attendances, television numbers and membership levels, mismanagement at club level remains a concern for the PFA.
“The league has improved markedly with the exception to this being the Jets and Roar, with these clubs both suffering from mismanagement and a lack of sound strategy,” the PFA said in a statement.
“There must be an urgent examination of the club’s current ownership structure to determine the best way forward.
“The honouring of contractual obligations is non-negotiable and the owners must be held accountable for the financial performance of the club.
“A-League clubs must have owners committed to establishing the game here as the best-governed globally.”
While there is immediate concern over the ownership of the club and the payment of staff – the PFA felt the future of Brisbane Roar as a franchise was not under threat.
“The PFA has no doubts regarding the club’s long-term financial viability provided it employs a sound strategy and upholds the highest levels of governance,” it said.
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