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It has been many years since we’ve seen an A-League team fall to the incompetence of the super-rich. But in 2016, we may be on the cusp of losing an A-League icon.
The Brisbane Roar have succeeded where so many football clubs have failed. Since their inception, two Queensland teams (Gold Coast United and North Queensland Fury) have come and gone, sadly with barely a whimper.
The Roar started with humble roots. Formed out of the ashes of NSL, the preverbal phoenix rose to become one of the league’s most successful clubs with three titles to their name (2011, 2012 and 2014).
This era of dominance was rightfully credited to now Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou, however it coincided with another major change at the club.
After years of financial turmoil and internal bickering, the Roar had thought they had found their white knight in Indonesian mining magnate The Bakrie Group.
The group’s takeover coincided with a period of sustained success on the pitch as title after title rolled in.
After a brief period of co-ownership with the Football Federation Australia, The Bakrie group bought 100 per cent ownership of the team, becoming the first majority-share foreign owner of an A-League team in the process.
It made perfect sense. The Bakrie Group also owned Indonesia Super League club Arema Cronus and Belgian Second Division club C.S. Visé, how could they not be invested in the long term success of the Roar?
But the world of global mining magnates is a curious thing.
In 2015, reports circulated that The Bakrie Group was billions of dollars in debt, yet owners still remained positive, saying they would inject $3.5 million into the club.
But the alarm bells began to ring when Professional Footballers Australia revealed players and staff of three-time champions were yet to be paid.
In July of 2015, The Bakrie Group said they would sell the team amidst mounting pressure.
But nearly a year later, The Bakrie Group are still in charge of the Roar and once again a loggerheads with the FFA.
Just like 2015, The FFA once again publicly threatened to take the Roar’s A-League licence, giving Bakrie a 5pm deadline to prove they still deserve a seat at the table.
However at the 5pm deadline, the FFA announced a stay of execution for the last surviving Queensland franchise.
“Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today received correspondence from the Bakrie Group in relation to the Brisbane Roar FC,” said an FFA spokesperson.
“The Bakrie Group has requested an extension of seven days to address matters raised by FFA. FFA is considering the request for an extension.
“FFA last week sought information from the Bakrie Group on the management and financial structure of the Brisbane Roar.”
The question remains though, how long can the FFA string along the Roar while they hold out hope for another white knight.
Despite all this happening behind the scenes, the team is undoubtedly successful. Perennial finals participants, always in the hunt for silverware and arguably one of the best squads on paper in the league.
But the charade of Bakrie’s ownership must end.
The revolving door of administrators must end.
The missed appointments with the FFA and shadowy behaviour must end.
Bakrie have one week to prove they still deserve the privilege of owning an A-League team and the FFA must be willing to act to save the A-League in Queensland.
Two teams have already fallen north of the Tweed. Will the same happen to a third?
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