Surely it’s time for some heads to roll at FFA headquarters, after Newcastle Jets management came out on Friday and re-asserted their desire to take no further part in the A-League.
It’s just one of many stuff-ups by the FFA, and comes after Hunter Sports Group and Nathan Tinkler, Australia’s richest man under 40, decided to pull the plug on the Newcastle Jets a fortnight ago.
HSG made a massive statement about the state of the A-League and its management by the FFA, and showed that the people currently running the game mightn’t necessarily be the best for the job.
For too long the FFA and its wealthy benefactor, Frank Lowy, have ruined the legitimacy of the A-League, dictating its operation for their own benefit and not that of the game in Australia.
For a sport that is considered ‘worldly’, the A-League is a far cry from being an all encompassing, ‘take your grandma to’ competition.
Tinkler came out on Thursday and apologised to the Newcastle footballing community, but spared no criticism of the FFA, who have been condemned for their actions more regularly of late.
“Soccer has an ownership model of established losses, a failure by the FFA to engage with communities and no sound commercial basis for its business relationships”, Tinkler told News Limited.
“While the A-League is funded by the club’s owners, they receive no input into the direction or governance of the game in Australia or the competition.”
So who’s responsible? Ben Buckley has taken a lot of flak lately and most of it is probably justified while Frank Lowy has done little to appease his critics.
Between the top five FFA executives, about $5 million is spent a year on their salaries, and from what we see (or don’t see), they aren’t worth it. The game suffers for it, especially when owners of clubs are each losing about $2 million a season!
Then there’s Frank Lowy, who for a man with a net worth of just under $4.5 billion, has invested little into the game other than his time.
Sure, he was one of the men responsible for the resurrection of football in Australia, but nine years on from his election as chairman of the FFA (several of those years anonymous), it’s now time for Lowy to take responsibility and accountability, and step down.
He has been found wanting when Australian football was in its darkest hours: Gold Coast United, North Queensland Fury, bungled Western Sydney deals and World Cup bids. When companies and wealthy men who are willing to invest money into the game speak out over ‘unsustainable business models’ and criticise the governing body for a ‘lack of confidence’ Lowy fires back, either kicking them out of the competition or suing the pants off them.
As Jets striker Michael Bridges wrote to the FFA, “Over the past seven years we have seen a variety of clubs collapse and others change ownership. This is not a stable environment for the competition, players and the fans… Our game needs the type of people who are prepared to back football with their money, passion and beliefs for the game.”
Reward the Tinklers of the game, and punish the dead weight.
Kasey
Guest
Don't forget the usual, "Football in crisis, will the A-League survive?" articles, now that we are in football off season I expect them to appear every fortnight now until the new season kicks off in October 2012.
ItsCalled AussieRules
Roar Rookie
How did Tinkler and Palmer make their money? Can you believe anything they say? They have contradicted themselves and lied on numerous occasions. They are both set to lose millions in legal battles with Lowy, Buckley and the FFA. They have no interest in the game and bought a football club as a sort of status symbol to show off to their Asian customers. They have no respect for the game, don't understand it and prefer Rugby League anyway.
papmeister
Guest
In no way do I condone the methods of Nathan Tinkler and Clive Palmer, but I do feel that their actions speak louder than words. The two men have, together, a worth of over $6 billion and are men who can clearly run businesses. When such people come out and criticise A-League and FFA management, don't you think that it's better to at least listen to what they have to say, rather than shoot down their recommondations/opinions. Tony Sage has also come out and criticised the organisation- thankfully the FFA and A-League will take into account what he has to say in its strategic committee.
daniel
Guest
Whilst I agree that both Frank (whom I admire from the perspective of where he came from to where he is now) and Buckley (who seems to be legitimately trying his best) are probably not the best people to run our game, but I really cant think of anyone better. The FFA needs a chairman and a CEO with business acumen, commercial understanding, multiple industry connections and a love of the game. That really wittles it down to very few people in Australia. Until we come across someone who ticks all these boxes, I believe we should stick with whom we have. Note: Just looking at that list, I think Tony Sage might be the only person (aside from Lowy) who ticks all the boxes. Maybe Schwarzer will be able to take a senior role once he retires but he is not an immediate candidate.
australian football
Guest
It is as clear as day light that' ben buckly' has no respect and love for our beloved football,I can only describe his appointment to be ceo as a plot by thugs and criminal likle 'frank lowy'. we must kick ben and frank out of our football , and put them on trioal for killing our football and national pride , and they must be put in jail and forced to pay $10 billion dollars as compensation for killing australian football for all these years.
Kieran fargher
Guest
Absolutely 100% agree! But it's like a conspiracy, if the FFA admits wrong doing, soon everyone will be assured that everything about them is true.. The only solution is a clean out of the scum and a bringing in of those with incorruptible morales and a passion to see the game grow..
Futbanous
Guest
Perhaps the Roar needs a new heading "Recycled Articles" hits the spot for me.
Dillan
Guest
The same old rubbish dished out again, and all you have done have quoted others, and other articles. Nothing new here at all... You have no proof, facts, numbers or figures or suggestions to back up your article. As your title says "papmeister is a Roar Rookie" I think so too...
nordster
Guest
'A massive clean out is required of Roar of the Crowd inbox' ... hit delete, not publish Roar eds! Quality Control as Jurassic 5 say!
ItsCalled AussieRules
Roar Rookie
"papmeister" - a bit of a "pap smear" I would have thought. Whom do you put forward to do a better job than Lowy and Buckley and what changes are required to the way the FFA is managed?
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
"A massive clean-out is required at FFA" ... a headline I've read every month on this Forum for the past 2 years. So, far the only thing that changes is the name of the person writing the article. Ho hum ... look forward to same headline in 4 weeks.
JonJax
Guest
I believe in political circles , diatribes like this are referred to as overt “party politicals”. A little balance in your hack piece would go a long way to gaining a modicum of credibility