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UPDATE: FFA responds to PFA, says it continues to recognise body

David Gallop and FFA might now want South Melbourne in the comp. (AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
12th August, 2015
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Football Federation Australia have responded to the Professional Footballer’s Association’s comments that the national body had withdrawn its recognition of the players association.

FFA CEO David Gallop has released a statement saying that they remain committed to reaching an understanding with the players, and they would continue to recognise the association.

He also said the FFA would continue to negotiate in good faith with the body.

The statement from Gallop reads as follows.

“FFA is shocked by the inaccuracies in the PFA’s media comments of yesterday and today,” said FFA CEO David Gallop.

“FFA continues to be committed to ensuring an appropriate MOU (memorandum of understanding) is agreed between FFA and the PFA, as part of a CBA, and any assertion that FFA intended to move forward without a CBA or MOU is wrong.

“FFA will continue to recognise the PFA and the role it plays and was preparing for an agreed face-to-face meeting with the PFA regarding the CBA this morning, which was cancelled by the PFA after the scheduled start time.

“FFA’s stance throughout the CBA negotiations has not wavered from its desire to acknowledge the important role of the players in the game’s growth by aligning current and future salary increases to the current economic landscape and sustainable growth of the game at all levels. The deal offered to the PFA, if accepted, would deliver the best ever deal for Australian professional footballers across the A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. This comes at a time when A-League clubs face economic challenges and are looking at investing in facilities and academy systems for the long term future that will see sustainability for decades to come.

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“The fact remains that the current MOU expires this week. After eight years, the details of some key aspects are now outdated due to agreed changes over time and need to be altered to reflect the current landscape, which the FFA is committed to resolving.

“The changes to the Player Contract Regulations for the upcoming season were tabled, negotiated and implemented in good faith in line with the obligations under the current MOU and communicated to the PFA at the same time as the Hyundai A-League clubs, which have been waiting for these regulations to properly plan their squads for the up-coming season.

“We totally reject the PFA’s claims regarding the nature of the negotiations, which from a FFA point of view have always been conducted in good faith and with a desire to reach agreement.”

Before the response from the FFA, it was said that strike action could be on the cards for the A-League.

The Professional Footballers Australia described the move as an “unprecedented step”, in which the FFA informed the union it has terminated the memorandum of understanding with the PFA that has underpinned the game’s relations with players since 2007.

Set to expire on Friday, the PFA said memorandum will not be rolled over while negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement continue, taking away the last remaining legal protection for Australia’s professional footballers.

PFA chief executive Adam Vivian said the move was “damaging” to the game, and hinted players could take industrial action in response.

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“The PFA has a long track record of supporting and building the game. It is clear that FFA’s CBA proposals and its decision to withdraw recognition of the PFA are very damaging to both,” Vivian said in a statement.

“FFA has left the PFA and the players with no option but to take the necessary steps to secure the rights and wellbeing of Socceroos, Matildas and A-League players under Australian industrial law.”

Vivian informed players of the developments at Sunday’s general meeting, where the 177 players in attendance voted to reject FFA’s latest CBA proposal.

The FFA and PFA are still at an impasse over a variety of issues, including a proposed A-League salary cap freeze which the union has dismissed out of hand.

However, FFA announced on Tuesday a range of sweeping changes to the salary cap and player roster framework, which Vivian said completely blindsided the union.

“Yesterday’s media announcement by FFA about changes to the A-League Player Contract Regulations was made without the knowledge of the PFA and introduces overdue reforms to the cap tabled by the PFA as early as 2013 to promote greater development and stability in the league,” he said.

“However, the announcement unilaterally imposes the salary cap freeze rejected by the players in the CBA negotiations which will largely undermine the reforms and place even greater pressure on the A-League’s core player group.”

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With Vince Rugari – AAP

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