All A-League clubs will finally have dugouts in 2015, but Wellington coach Ernie Merrick has slammed Football Federation Australia, accusing them of banning their use for years.
The issue is again in the spotlight since under fire Sydney FC coach Frank Farina called for sideline dugouts after having a drink was thrown on him during Saturday’s tumultuous 3-0 home loss to Adelaide at Allianz Stadium.
Farina feels there could be better protection for players, coaches and support staff, who currently use uncovered chairs on the sideline.
A-League boss Damien de Bohun revealed to AAP that as a result of stadium upgrades for the 2015 Asian Cup all A-League venues will be left with dugouts.
“One of the very practical legacy outcomes of the Asian Cup will be covered benches for every ground, so afterwards there’ll be covered benches right across the league,” de Bohun told AAP.
“It’s been something that I wanted to implement on day one, but we don’t have a bottomless pit when we try to get the balance of resources.
“In the end it doesn’t matter whose responsibility it is, it matters that we get it done.”
But well-respected coach Merrick lashed out at the FFA saying they have banned dugouts, even in grounds like Hindmarsh Stadium or AAMI Park – which already have them in place for other codes – citing reasons including restricting views.
“I’ve coached for seven seasons and every year the coaches have done everything they can to get dugouts so they don’t have to suffer the abuse and the threats,” the former Melbourne Victory mentor told AAP.
“We’re the only country in the world that sit on plastic barbecue chairs two metres from the crowd.
“We’ve brought it up with the FFA every year and their excuses are pitiful.
He said it was ridiculous that they were told not to use dugouts at stadiums where they were already in use.
“They come up with a lot of reasons, which are laughable, like we’d be blocking the view,” he said.
“Well, the stadium is half empty – you can move people around.
“Or they say that we have security guards there, or they’re too expensive to buy. Really? It’s too expensive? How ridiculous is that? It’s a safety thing.”
Merrick said even if clubs were prepared to pay for dugouts themselves they still weren’t allowed to use them.
“You were banned. End of story.”
The only stadium currently using dugouts is Westpac Stadium and Merrick says while the FFA has tried to stop Wellington from using them, the club simply ignored the order.
“I wasn’t here at the time when this happened last year but the club just said `no we’re not removing them’ and the FFA gave up,” he said.
Merrick said the FFA are now backing their use only because they had been forced to by the Asian confederation.
“Now of course they’re hosting the Asian Cup and the confederation have said `don’t be so stupid, every country in the world has them, we’ve got to protect the coaches’,” he said.
“So now the FFA are saying `oh it’s alright, they’re on their way’.
“I’m just in support of Frank Farina and all the coaches.
“I don’t give an opinion on everything but when it comes to something as important as this and the FFA denying that it’s their responsibility, that really annoys me.”
AZ_RBB
Guest
Off topic like i always am....... http://www.smh.com.au/sport/anz-stadium-seeks-bids-for-retractable-roof-ground-revamp-20140212-32iau.html Some serious steps being taken to upgrade ANZ Stadium. Because of the immovable nature of levels 3 to 6, the stadium will always be a jack of all trades, master of none. Nevertheless, bringing in the ends and putting on a roof would be pretty cool for active support during football events.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
But they can't use dugouts right now if they chose, the FFA is *lying* when it suggest that the option has been available. This has been a constant bone of contention between Perth Glory and the FFA because of the tendency to schedule us during hotter periods of the day. Even in that sizzling hot match earlier in the year we had to fight tooth and nail to get into the dugout even as an emergency measure against the heat and sunlight because Fox had been using it for their gear!
Nathan of Perth
Guest
The other reason has tended to be that on hot days, Foxsports uses them to keep their equipment cool during sunny games...
NUFCMVFC
Roar Guru
Well said Ernie This is the type of stupidty we see when we let too many administrators of non football background in, they come up with stupid crap like outdoor chairs which are an embarrassment I thought thye just weren't encouraging them, to think the FFA were actively banning them all along. Pathetic
Kasey
Guest
Hindmarsh stadium, having been built for the Sydney 2000 Olympics was built to the FIFA Standards of the day and thus also has dugouts in the Western Stand. I expect AUFC will utilise these rather than spend money on the type of dugouts seen in Wellington. I wonder how soon it will be before we see the end of the Bunings chairs? Once one team decides to use the dugouts in their stadium, the others will no doubt follow suit.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
According to Russell Sargeant, who is the General Manager (Operations) for the A-League: There is a "massive investment" and operational issues (impact on placement of TV cameras) involved with portable covered dugouts, but the FFA does not ban clubs from using them. The NIX use them without any intervention from the FFA. Dugouts will be mandatory at all Asian Cup venues so, after the Asian Cup, the FFA will make these dugouts available to all clubs. But, clubs can use dugouts right now if they choose. Also, it should be noted, there are built-in covered dugouts at AAMI Park, yet managers always prefer to sit on the plastic chairs, which are closer to the touchline.
Roarfan
Guest
Roarfan • 3 hours ago − ⚑ Well said Ernie, This is why football in Australia is not going ahead as fast as it should. It is being run by non football people who have only got dollars in their sights and are not interested in what goes on overseas , they are not prepared to learn Safety should be paramount in all sports △ ▽
Ian
Guest
Tell us how you really feel Ernie. Good outcome. I had a dream Brisbane Roar played Wellington Phoenix in the Grand Final. But didn't 'see' the outcome. Perhaps another 2-1 win to the Roar to make it 4 of the same scoreline for this season.
mahonjt
Guest
I love Ernie! Good man. Can also coach.
Kasey
Guest
I love the way the FFA make determinations/decisionsseemingly at random and then when they are called on them, they fein ignorance..I'll bet they *did* infact decide in the formative years to ban dugouts and the big covered benches like at Phoenix games(which tracks with the rumour I heard about it being because they'd block the view) but then when something goes pear shaped at Smurf FC they cant backtrack fast enough...." we never banned them etc" "Its up to the clubs etc" Although they'll say it was the AFC not the Farina incident. what bollocks. At least we'll have no more bunnings chairs from next season! thats a win for the profesional image of the league IMO:)
whiskeymac
Guest
Never understood the white bbq chairs either. Such a tacky amateur ish look. Although it did supply the kossie Muscat moment.