The appointment of Alessandro Del Piero as an ambassador for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup being held in Australia has poured petrol on a smouldering argument in Australian football – why don’t we respect our history?
It’s an argument that, given the advent of the FFA Cup and the National Premier Leagues, the game has to have – and resolve. The sooner, the better.
The announcement that the Italian legend has been named a global ambassador for the event, and tasked with “raising its profile beyond the borders of the world’s biggest region”, went down without incident for most of yesterday.
But there was unrest sweeping through football’s Twitterati from the very moment The Australian pushed the publish button on Ray Gatt’s critique of the decision.
Gatt argued that rather than foreigner Del Piero, an Aussie football legend – like Mark Viduka, Ray Baartz, Rale Rasic or Alan Davidson – should be the face of the Asian Cup.
“(Del Piero) is the one who will be the focus of the media, locally and internationally,” Gatt wrote.
“But what does it say about Australian soccer and the many, many great people who have contributed to the sport in this country that FFA could not find, or chose to ignore, someone who would have better epitomised and showcased what is good about Australia and our game?”
That line struck a chord. For too long, the feeling has been that under the Frank Lowy regime, Australian football has swept its warts-and-all history under the rug.
The A-League had to happen the way it did for football to capture mainstream attention the way it has. But ‘old soccer’ did not deserve to be forgotten, which is sometimes the way it feels.
The other codes in Australia lean so heavily on their history, their icons, their folklore.
Meanwhile, you’d be forgiven for thinking the round-ball game was introduced by visiting Uruguayans in late 2005, and that it’s been a very complicated love affair ever since.
Indeed, there is no better springboard for spreading the gospel of football’s unspoken local history and finally weaving it into the game’s identity than the biggest competition ever to be held in the country.
The thinking that Del Piero is an inappropriate ambassador, however, is a little askew.
The role he has undertaken involves promoting the Asian Cup to the entire world, not just Asia. Few are capable of that, and it’s common sense to leverage his profile.
Importantly, the appointment was not handled by the FFA – rather, the organising committee, and by extension the AFC. That doesn’t make the criticism of the FFA’s perceived reluctance to look within any less valid.
But here lies the rub, and here’s where football pays for the clean slate approach. With all due respect to Australia’s greats, how are we meant to rely on them to sell a competition like this abroad when we don’t pay them enough respect at home?
The four names mentioned in The Australian should all be household names but only Viduka is. The rest aren’t part of the new narrative.
Slowly, the FFA is playing catch-up. The new Socceroos kit is a welcome throwback to the 1974 World Cup campaign. The new national cup goes some way towards bridging the chasm between the NSL and the A-League. Newcastle, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane will all host matches in Asia’s biggest footballing event.
There is progress in football’s history wars, even if it feels a little opportunistic. But rarely, if ever, is nostalgia at the forefront of football’s mainstream discourse. It should be, because the game will never realise its true potential until it is completely united – new and old, urban and regional, ethnic and whitebread.
The use of Del Piero, in the way a star of his calibre should be used, should not – and does not – preclude Australia from paying tribute to the heroes of yesteryear.
The same press release that announced the ADP news also trumpeted “more than 200 community ambassadors around Australia who will help make this tournament a multicultural festival celebrating Asia’s rich football heritage.”
That’s perhaps the perfect way for the local legends of the game to get involved.
Let Del Piero raise awareness and attract worldwide attention, and once they’re all watching, show everyone that Australian football didn’t start in 2005.
Tell them about Australia’s links with Asia from before then – how the Socceroos spirit was born to the tune of clattering gunfire and explosions in Saigon in 1967, or even how the Perth Kangaroos actually won the Singapore domestic league in 1994.
It’s time we started being boastful about Australian football’s history, because it is far richer than the FFA sometimes lets on. First, though, we have to come to terms with it ourselves.
IanW
Guest
Speaking of history, have Australia vs the DDR at the 1974 World Cup https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqI5OItoh1A
Vince Rugari
Expert
Pure coincidence. But he told me that was coming when he read this yesterday. I'd say great minds, but mine isn't
Franko
Guest
"Tell them about Australia’s links with Asia from before then... or even how the Perth Kangaroos actually won the Singapore domestic league in 1994." Are you and Gorman working together??? http://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2014/mar/27/the-forgotten-story-of-perth-kangaroos
albatross
Roar Pro
It's ok the be a "bigot" apparently.
albatross
Roar Pro
Most followers of football in Asia will have heard of ADP and will pay attention to interviews and articles on him. Whether they have heard of the Asian Cup or Australia is moot.
peeeko
Roar Guru
Personally the use and importance of "ambassadors" and "faces of the game" is overstated across all sports and events.
SlickAs
Guest
And besides Lucas Neill is the captain ambassador. What is the difference between Neill and Dukes? Neill never played in the NSL so does not fit the narrative that the bitters are spruiking.
SlickAs
Guest
Exactly... naming Dikes it is a bit like if the AFC named Nakata or Park Ji-Sung as ambassador just because they are from Asia ... they don't have the same cut through to promote the tournament in like Mongolia or Uzbekistan far less getting viewership in the rich and important European market as ADP. And clearly Ray Baartz, Rale Rasic or Alan Davidson are just idiocy.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
I see nothing wrong with the appointment of ADP. Its smart on the FFA's part. As for picking an Australian player who could be our voice or Ambassador. To tell you the truth I cant see one. I mean no disrespect to any of our former players but they are hardly household names in Asia. Maybe Viduka, but if you asked him I think he would have said "thanks but no thanks". He is so far removed from football these days its not funny. The only football he cares about these days is the football his son plays, and good on him too.
My mate James
Guest
I think all sports should ditch the "minor" moniker - there's nothing MINOR about topping the AFL or NRL either.
fadida
Guest
"Reasonable from 97-2000"???? One of Europe's hottest talents at the time was more than "reasonable". Live in your own alternate reality Johan
Johan
Guest
fadida - on the contrary - I merely demonstrate that I have high standards. He was reasonable from 97-2000. No loss to the socceroos on his form of the last few years.
Kane Cassidy
Roar Guru
I'm loving what this means for Sydney FC, it means Del Piero is sticking around until at least next year, instead of jetting off as soon as Sydney's A-League campaign is over like some people hope he will. I'm personally hoping he'll stick around in a backroom role, as a coach or a youth coach, until he goes for his coaching A Levels. Alessandro has shown amazing commitment to football in Australia, I don't know why anyone would criticize his appointment as ambassador for the Asian Cup.
mahonjt
Guest
WOW Tow - my whole comment was about how the story is worth telling, but in the most strategic way at the most strategic time (for me this means big resources and lots of media influence). I certainly never suggested that it should not be told or that it was not worth of respect. I have no idea where you got than impression from...... The only even mildly controversial point I was making was that "I don’t believe that football has fully and appropriately embraced its extraordinary history yet. I don’t believe that football has ignored it either.... Like most things in this most contested passion of human endeavour on this far flung and highly contested sporting continent – the truth is somewhere in the middle". This is controversial because people feel the need to 'pick a side'. My view is that when you do that you loose perspective. Fortunately historians don't. Good ones, anyway! Lets break it down so I don't have to accuse you of verballing me ;-) (1) "History and a story worth telling" - I agree and say so in my response. (2) "If you manufacture a “history” because you think you should it’s worthless." - I certainly never argued for a manufactured history. (3) "This begs the question why hasn’t it already got a well documented history, why was “old Soccer” (Vinces terms )ignored." - So called "old soccer" had 128 years to document its history and make its case in the broader community. Much of it has been documented (it makes great reading!) and in the collapse of the NSL and related issues much of this story was lost to the story of collapse and the associated politics. As I argued - "we blew it". The FFA simply had bigger 'fish to fry' before dedicating the resources necessary to engaging with its history and knit together the football pyramid (for the 1st time ever) - each are important to "respecting" the game IMO. (4) "Simple the game had no respect in the general Australian psyche under that moniker" - it didn't garner respect for reasons well beyond the moniker. Australian racism, the games atrocious governance and a range of competitors who were infinitely more effective than us were the causes of a lack of respect (Jonny Warren told us all about this in his terrific book). (5) "Doesn’t mean there wasn’t one (I was a regular NSL & Socceroo where possible in Brisbane attendeee) it just wasn’t respected." - I certainly made no claim to this effect and I too was at these games, which is why I feel I have a valid perspective on how the game failed and how it has improved - two things our history will record as we are in a position now because of the FFA's long-term thinking and various reform to start doing so. You obviously feel strongly about Vince's article. I guess I just see it differently, even though I disagree with him in part, its good to see the 'football history wars' (as I call them) being covered without a simple 'there is only one truth' argument being posited by the 'wing nuts' in our game on both sides. History is NEVER that simple. This is why the game, through the FFA, has a dedicated historians committee with professional historians - so people like you and I don't write the books :-) I have no problem with the blunt history outlined in the remainder of your response - indeed I broadly agree with it. However, the argument that respect for the game started in 2005 is only true of the broader community. Many of us loved and respected the game while many Australians didn't. Respect is earned. Football fans felt it was earned long ago. Racists and football-phobics aside (we will never convince them) the rest of the community is embracing the game. I, for one, thank the FFA for its huge (but not solo) contribution to this growing respect. I don't see growing respect as a problem. I see it as the answer. At another time I will gladly outline all the various aspects of the game's reform and modern 'positioning' that are contributing to the story of association football in Australia not only being told, but respected. We have a long way to go - but my argument is simply that we have already started.
Ian
Guest
I assume this guy Alain is happy about the changes to the racial discrimination act
fadida
Guest
Every time you use the phrase "the lemon Kewell" you highlight your ignorance of football
Towser
Guest
Iangou Last I'll say on this subject to you , either you dont get the point I'm making regarding professional football journalists in relation to Vince's article, or choose not to see it(for whatever reason in your mind). However I leave you with this. The FFA indeed have said that the Championship ie the Champions win the most important prize in the A-League.So according to your logic(It is the minor out of the two prizes) The Roar this season should be "Minor Champions". Premiers & Champions winners of both competitions respected in Australia according to what their title represents. I and the AFC rate the Premiers as the most worthy,you dont but I respect the Champions for their achievement. and your and the FFA's right to see them as most worthy. No rocket science,but lots of respect something the game has lacked in this country for the vast majority of time I've lived here.
Griffo
Roar Guru
The AFC Asian Cup Official YouTube Channel will broadcast the draw tonight:
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
The "Report" function is not working. I find the post by Alain Leveque to be irrelevant & offensive.
langou
Roar Guru
The official name is the Premiership, however colloquially people can call it the minor premiership, I don't think it matters too much. FFA have come out and confirmed that the Championship is the most important prize in Australian football so in some ways it is the 'minor' out of the two prizes.