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Steven Lowy defends path to FFA chairman

17th November, 2015
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New Football Federation Australian chairman Steven Lowy has launched a passionate defence of the process that led to his controversial appointment from retiring father Frank.

The Westfield co-CEO was officially handed the reins to the nation’s top job in football on Tuesday when he was unveiled as one of four new directors on the FFA board.

The governing body had previously come under criticism from some club officials for allegedly overlooking a number of suitable candidates to replace the code’s spiritual leader.

However Steven said he was comfortable with the unanimous decision made by the state bodies and the collective A-League clubs.

“Nothing was handed to me, my father didn’t hand the reins to me,” he said at Westfield’s corporate offices in Sydney.

“There was a very diligent process that took place which is at the highest order of corporate governance.

“There was an independent nominations committee put in place, there was an international search firm put in place … they did an exhaustive search over 18 months.

“I was one of those people that was approached, and ultimately it lead to a unanimous voting.”

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Steven, together with new board members Daniel Moulis, Crispin Murray, and Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, held their first board meeting with FFA management on Tuesday and outlined a number of key priorities.

Among them included the completion of a new four-year strategic plan initiated by the previous board, as well as negotiations for what the FFA aims to be its most lucrative broadcast deal in 2017.

“Probably the most significant commercial transaction that’s going to face us for some years,” Lowy said.

“And the importance of focusing on that and achieving the best results for all the stakeholders in the game will be an absolute priority.”

Strengthening their relationship with the league’s 10 franchises is also high on the agenda.

“It feels like there’s an opportunity to enhance that relationship with the FFA to the A-League clubs, and also to the member federation states,” Lowy said.

“And in discussions with David and the management team, that clearly is a focus of theirs. I think you’ll see that as part of a strategic plan going forward.”

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Lowy dodged speaking in details about the long-term future of Wellington Phoenix, only declaring that it is “an issue that needs to be dealt with and will be elaborated on in the new year”.

FFA CEO David Gallop said it was the beginning of a new era for the sport.

“We’re delighted to have someone of Steven’s experience as chairman, and the other directors that we’ve put in place today,” he said.

“We’re setting off to continue the growth trajectory that Frank and the previous board put in place.”

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