The A-League was supposed to bring stability to Australia’s domestic football scene. On that front it has failed. Seven years into the competition’s history, the A-League’s future looks rocky.
First things first: Football Federation Australia should have waited until the end of the season to revoke Clive Palmer’s licence.
By taking the licence from him with four games of the regular season remaining, the FFA invited Palmer to respond at a critical juncture of the season.
That he has threatened legal action comes as no surprise. That he has established “Football Australia” – whatever it is supposed to entail – comes as more of a shock.
“The FFA has lurched from one disaster to another and needs to be replaced,” Palmer said in regard to the launch of what many are labelling a rebel league.
“The fans, players and people with a passion for football in Australia deserve better and Football Australia will be based on full transparency and corporate governance.”
Whether that means Palmer will actually set up a rival league is unclear. Contradicting statements suggested Football Australia is intended to be an independent watchdog.
FFA’s response was predictably terse.
“Once again an array of unsubstantiated claims and wild commentary have been made by Clive Palmer.
“The comments serve no purpose in any way to advance football in Australia,” they said in a press release, labelling Palmer’s antics a “farcical outburst.”
Sadly, some of what Palmer says makes sense – the “sadness” deriving from the fact he’s the wrong man to instigate change.
Let’s not forget this is an owner who has overseen the worst performing club in the league both on and off the pitch this season.
Yet the establishment of Football Australia will have the FFA worried on three fronts.
Firstly, they’ll face a court battle over revoking Palmer’s licence.
Secondly, the Asian Football Confedeation will be keeping a close eye on proceedings. Indeed, they’ve already released a statement saying they recognise only the FFA.
“According to the AFC Statutes, only one national association shall be officially recognised in each country by the AFC. Accordingly, the AFC will only recognise and deal with FFA on all football matters concerning Australia,” the AFC said.
And when the AFC get involved, we can be certain FIFA won’t be too far behind.
Palmer’s reaction to the revocation of his licence was predictable, but the impact would have been lessened had the FFA waited until the conclusion of the season to act.
That Frank Lowy saw the day of a World Cup qualifier as the best time to do so smacks of one-hard nosed billionaire desperately trying to one-up another.
And far from having the best interests of football at heart, Palmer appears just as hellbent on getting the better of Lowy.
The FFA have one more problem as far as billionaires are concerned, with Newcastle Jets’ owner Nathan Tinkler reportedly fuming about the cost of his licence fee.
If Tinkler decides to get on board with Palmer’s “revolution,” the FFA will soon be staring down the challenge of not one, but two of Australia’s richest men.
Tinkler has clout, and not just in a financial sense.
Just under 30,000 fans turned out in the rain last night to watch the Newcastle Knights go around against St George Illawarra in the NRL, and you can bet most of those fans care more about watching a winning team than who administers their league.
With Tinkler also in charge of the Jets and the city of Newcastle in the thralls of his power, any potential Palmer-Tinkler axis poses a real problem for the FFA.
This whole affair is a nightmare for the powers that be and it could have been avoided with better handling of the figures involved in the first place.
Hindsight may be 20/20, but further mismanagement from the FFA will threaten what Frank Lowy termed just two days ago the A-League’s “bright future.”
jbinnie
Guest
Titus &John. Neither of you read too well despite being so well versed in modern Australian and global economics.This is a football blog site and I did ask that it remains that way,a slight dig at my pal cattery who introduced Wayne Swan into an article of his. One question, Who or what is 2GB? As I also said (but you appear to have missed) the figures I quoted were published under the name of Ross Greenwood in a publication called Money Matters and as suggested I recommend if federal politics is your thing,debate it there with him. Me?,I have no debt, and am not in the least bit interested in Federal Politics except when I see my rates and taxes constantly climb higher and higher despite what you allege are our "good" time so which I assume must be to pay for someone's excesses.jb PS In my working life I was a paid up member of the biggest union in the UK,worked in the coal mines,and was active in local politics so please don't lecture to me on the origins of the Labour movement that has been replaced by a university educated organised party that has drifted away from those origins about as far as is imaginable.jb
John Ryan
Roar Pro
I would suggest you actually do some reading on where Australia stands on it so called Debt Problem as touted by Abbott and Co who cant add up, and 2GB jocks to whom truth is but a passing ship in the night
seanmaguire
Guest
Are the top 5 FFA execs really paid $5million? What are they doing with the money they get, they seem to spend it like drunken sailors. I think Palmer is crazy but he's bringing up some good points about the management of FFA. Frankly I'd love to see a Royal Commision into them, the amount of government money they've wasted in the last few years is astronomical, not to mention the bribery allegations sorrounding the WC bid.
Titus
Guest
Oh dear JB, you haven't been listening to 2GB again have you? Look, Gov debt as a percentage of GDP is 11% roughly where it was in 2000. Not too bad given the financial crisis the globe has been in and the large stimulus spending that was required. You will not find another OECD nation that even comes close to those low levels, and you can thank our Government regulations for that. Besides, it is the levels of private debt that you should be more concerned about, and they rose sharpley under the Libs.
j binnie
Guest
Fussball - Hope you also read Peter Turnbull's,(the chairman of CCM,) views on this whole sordid affair.It is extremely fair and unbiased and based on good common sense. jb
j binnie
Guest
Titus In your undoubted talented way could you please explain to a wondering public how, whoever manages the American economy, has helped in turning a 48billion dollar surplus into a 200 billion debt as has been accomplished in a very short time in our great country.ONLY THING IS DON'T DO IT IN THIS SITE WRITE TO ROSS GREENWOOD AT MONEY MATTERS and debate the issue with him.. By the way at the same time you might ask him why the socialist party adopted Labor as a name instead of Labour (the working class party) when in fact it is the American spelling of the same word???????jb
ItsCalled AussieRules
Roar Rookie
Isn't the Aussie Rules on. Must be dreamin mate.
ItsCalledFootball
Roar Guru
Its called Aussie Rules and can't wait to hear how the Giants are a huge success for the 600th time this week.
ManInBlack
Guest
It's all a bit of a yawn and to me is little more than proof positive that a job description of "Mining Magnate" should never be confused with anything resembling proof of intelligence. ah if only that super rich mining tax had got through.......
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Dear John Whilst we appreciate your keenness to be involved with a global sport, rather than the Mickey Mouse local offerings we regret to inform you that, at this stage, your suggestions have been filed in the "Clive Palmer Comedy Folder" Based on your deep love of the World Game, in general, & the HAL, in particular, we suggest you forward your strategic initiatives to Clive Palmer who, apparently, is keen to act upon "FA ideas". We, in the Football Family, wish you every success in gaining satisfaction from your insignificant Aussie-focused sports.
Philip Coates
Roar Guru
Also, it seems he has only lost the interim injunction - there is a full hearing scheduled for next wednesday. But the fact that he lost this first stage is a wonderful thing.
Philip Coates
Roar Guru
someone in real authority unconvinced by clive palmer's comments - that is music to my ears
Philip Coates
Roar Guru
Clive wont concede it yet. It's only the Qld Supreme Court, he'll try take it to the Fed court if that is possible.
whiskeymac
Guest
haha good call.
whiskeymac
Guest
is it time for drug and sex scandals already? crikey. sports a funny old game.
pete4
Guest
Clive has conceded an early goal... whether he actually counts it or wants to play the full 90 mins remains to be seen :)
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Yup #68-1 is going to start trending on Twitter. As some bright spark said on Twitter .. "it would be wrong to have Clive Palmer get a 69"!! ;-) Get the feeling the Nix supporters will hold up the 68-1 sign on Sunday arvo. Great way to end the working week & BRI v MHT is a cracking game
whiskeymac
Guest
68-1?
Titus
Guest
Yeah, because the conservatives in America have managed their economy so much better than our Labor socialists, right?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Judge's decision coming through on Twitter unconvinced Clive palmers comments were not a breach of material terms. Clive Palmer's injunction REFUSED!!! FFA seeking costs Costs awarded against the applicant (Clive Palmer) on standard basis.