The precarious future of embattled A-League outfit Gold Coast United has made waves around the Australian football sphere.
The problems came after outspoken club chairman and billionaire mining tycoon Clive Palmer boorishly voiced his concerns surrounding the state of the Australian competition – belittling the code, its administration, lack of strategic awareness, its corrupt dealings and need for dramatic change.
Following a calamitous week for the struggling south-east Queensland club, it saw a publicity stunt turn horribly sour – on the contrary to Palmer’s sentiments – to hand 17-year-old A-League debutant Mitch Cooper the captaincy for last Friday night’s clash with Melbourne Heart.
Palmer was incensed with Miron Blieberg’s comments towards the media, describing the appointment as a “ceremonial gesture”, subsequently suspending the Israeli-born boss for one-match.
However, Bleiberg, a man who worked tirelessly to aid the club’s fortunes on the pitch felt betrayed and hurt, stating his desire to leave the club.
”I’m not coming back,” he explained. ”Clive took away my dignity, he disrespect me, and he disrespect the game.
”In his eyes, it could be he think I did something wrong. Even if I done wrong – which I don’t think I did – the punishment does not fit the crime.
”It hurt me what he did. If he meant to hurt me, he was successful.
”I made my decision [to resign] as it [suspension] happened, but when you are older, you learn to wait until things have cooled down. But there is no point for me to continue.”
The following day (Monday), Gold Coast revealed that Bleiberg had not handed in an official letter of resignation, consequently sacking the coach with an untenable relationship evident.
‘‘No resignation letter was received by the club but given comments made in the media over recent days the club have dismissed Miron from his position as head coach effective immediately,’’ Gold Coast CEO Clive Mensink revealed.
‘‘We were scheduled to have lunch today but given his comments it was clear Miron wasn’t going to come back so on that basis the club thought it was fair enough to say Miron was no longer officially involved.
‘‘I would like to thank Miron for his excellent service for the club – we obviously had some memorable moments together.”
Mike Mulvey, previously the club’s assistant coach, has since been given the arduous task of caretaker coach for the remainder of the season.
With such turmoil inundated around the under-fire club, it’s difficult to see how Gold Coast United, under the dysfunctional administration of Palmer, can cease to operate and have a viable working relationship with Football Federation Australia and its working associates.
When the Glitter Strip club entered the competition in 2009 – alongside the now defunct North Queensland Fury – it had a wealth of potential and optimism from the governing body, in conjunction with the football community.
It had a billionaire owner, its own private jet, a star-studded team including Jason Culina – a Socceroo in his prime – a modern stadium in Skilled Park and a brand new market of 400,000 residents to exploit.
While Gold Coast is traditionally a city more renowned for its theme parks, beaches and holiday environment, there was a great sense of enthusiasm instilled in the expansion process.
Although, a project which appeared to be one of great potential in its initiation, has been nothing short of a train-wreck.
Gold Coast United, through its egotistic approach to the game and to its small, but loyal fanbase, is tarnishing what should have been a worthwhile football brand.
The old saying goes, “treat others as you wish to be treated”. If you take care of your consumers with diligence and respect, then the same offer will be returned.
It’s fair to say, Palmer’s involvement with football has primarily been to leverage his own businesses opportunities throughout Asia, not for the sheer notion of growing a reputable club, engaging fans and cultivating Australian football.
The A-League needs owners who are passionate, honourable & genuinely care about the game’s growth – Palmer currently doesn’t fit these criteria.
On Monday night, Palmer appeared on the SBS programme The World Game. In all truth, he made some valid arguments concerning the game’s direction, why owners need more influence on the manner the league is run and ultimately how it could be improved.
Constructive, honest and insightful feedback is the fundamental criteria needed for the code to prosper.
However, a personal agenda in opposition to the nation’s elite governing body is embarrassing and brings the game into disrepute. Crudely attacking the FFA, its chairman, CEO and other administrators in various media forums is downright disgraceful, unwarranted and distasteful.
Whilst the FFA has made its fair share of blunders, it is here to serve the game, for the millions of people who live, breathe and cherish football in Australia. The football community understands the adverse problems the game has faced since the post NSL-era, although a solution won’t be manufactured through childish bickering and trepidation tactics.
After ludicrous statements throughout the past week: calling the A-League a “joke’, football as a “hopeless game” and how rugby league is a “much better game”, it is almost inconceivable that the FFA has failed to fine Palmer for his insensitive proclamations, degrading the sport to unmeasurable proportions.
It’s palpable how Palmer’s intimidating nature has the FFA on the back-foot. The mining magnate has threatened with legal action, if the governing body attempted to revoke his club’s A-League licence, claiming his 68 to nil winning record would have him as an unbackable favourite.
Palmer boasts about spending $18 million on his Gold Coast United franchise, although how much of that has been focused on a strategic marketing blueprint, to capture the hearts and imagination of the local public? How much of that capital investment has been allocated towards community engagement initiatives, smearing the club’s footprints in the Gold Coast community?
If he is so proud of his investment, why did he refer to his club as “insignificant” in contrast to his business empire?
If Palmer was really concerned about fans’ involvement, why has he secluded a large chunk of his club’s market? Encompassing a bizarre crowd cap – limiting the attendance to 5,000 spectators for every home game – and closing off three of the four stands is certainly a fantastic way of creating a negative representation for the club.
What incentive does it give football followers to attend a match, when the owner isn’t the slightest bit concerned about having Gold Coast United as a sporting mainstay within the city’s marketplace?
Treating a football club solely from a business perspective has unfortunately been Palmer’s major downfall, it simply doesn’t work.
If Gold Coast United is serious about its ongoing involvement in Australia’s premier football competition, its owner must comply with the mandatory code of ethics.
Opinions are warranted, however we must all work together in a civilised manner to achieve the best possible outcomes.
Please Mr. Palmer, stop with these pitiable concepts to gain publicity – there will be no breakaway league controlled by A-League owners – and illustrate your support for the game by working with the appropriate parties in a respectful, communal manner.
Courtesy of Goal Weekly – Follow Robbie on Twitter @RobertDiFabio
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