Soccer’s ugly pay war is all but over with Football Federation Australia and Professional Footballers Australia only days away from finalising a new collective bargaining agreement.
It’s understood the formal negotiation process between the two parties is over, and while some informal talks are ongoing, the last remaining hurdle is for Socceroos, Matildas and A-League players to approve the new deal, which is considered a foregone conclusion.
While that may take up to two weeks to complete, it means the start of the A-League season next week won’t be marred by industrial action and schedules for the men’s and women’s national teams will go ahead as normal.
“We’re in the midst of finalising the collective bargaining agreement with the players’ association and the players,” A-League chief Damien de Bohun told a Brisbane Roar members forum on Wednesday night.
“That will happen in the coming days, just to give you all some comfort.”
Having last month boycotted a planned tour of the United States, Matildas players will assemble in Sydney next week for a training camp, while Socceroos players are expected to begin arriving in Jordan from Sunday ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifier next Thursday.
The Matildas stand to be the biggest beneficiaries of the new CBA, with the new deal set to make them full-time professional players for the first time.
According to reports, the Matildas have been offered a two-tiered deal with a minimum wage of $34,000, an increase from the current salary of $21,000.
A spokesman for the PFA said: “Professional Footballers Australia said it would not be making any public comment about offers made to members before they can be put to the players.
“This agreement is for the players and the future of the game in Australia.
“Progress has been made, players continue to be consulted and further comment will be made at the appropriate time.”
fadida
Guest
Only so much doom can be discussed :)
Midfielder
Guest
Fuss That is some talent in your junior ranks coming thro ...
Ian
Guest
Group of Death gets overused a bit - in this case it looks warranted.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Middy, don't know much about any of them. Pretty sure they all play in the MVFC NPL u20 team, which is the "youth youth" MVFC team. The MVFC youth play in the NPL competition for open age players; the really young lads play in the NPL competition for u20 players. Pretty sure I saw Pierce Waring come on as a sub in the senior NPL1 competition & he looked the goods, even though he was playing against adult men. If he is the guy I'm thinking about, he played as a striker - strong, tall lad with very good touch. If he's only 16 years old, he's physically more developed than the average 16 yr old lad.
Midfielder
Guest
Fuss What can you tell us about these 3 MV players selected in the U 17 squad to go to the U 17 WC. Starts in Chile in a couple of weeks. We are grouped with Mexico, Germany and Argentina. Talk about the Group of Death. Lucas DERRICK, Jonathan VAKIRTZIS , Pierce WARING … from MV
Ian
Guest
Brisbane Roar members received an email just a few days ago, maybe Monday this week or last Friday, saying membership cards would be sent out within the 'next few days'. Haven't arrived as of yet so we should get them before end of next week. Considering our first home game is the Sunday of the 2nd round there is ample time for administration to meander along slowly. Getting your packs in earlier years by lining up at the first home game is not the way to go. To borrow a quote - Corona will quench Roar's thirst for midfielders.
At work
Roar Rookie
I don't know how so many clubs consistently don't do the membership packs very well, in terms of delays of general screw-ups. I renewed my Syd FC membership back in July and only just received an email on Tuesday saying the packs would be mailed and expect to receive within 10-14 days! I have no idea what Brisbane are going to be like, interested to see their new player Corona
AZ_RBB
Guest
Yeah got mine yesterday. huge improvement on last season where I never got a pack and got my card in February. Plenty of tickets available towards the south end. I'm sure there are some season tickets available as well. Starting the season with 16.6k members. Pretty happy with that.
At work
Roar Rookie
Thursday night, can't wait! AZ_RBB - You guys got your membership packs yet, sellout expected?
Kaks
Roar Guru
Good. Now lets get on with the football
AZ_RBB
Guest
Pay war over. 6 days to the season opener. Let's get excited people!!
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
On a positive note the PFA-FFA spat made a refreshing change from the traditional flood of pre-season articles predicting the imminent demise of the Mariners.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Thank you to the FFA for coming to your senses and not chucking another Tanty.
fadida
Guest
Yep. So many people were thriving on the drama, predicting the collapse of the league etc. Looks like we might have to focus on what I predict will be the best season ever. Shame
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Ho hum. Those of us who don't hysterically scream "not a good look for the game" every time an issue arises in Football understood that this would be sorted & all parties would stand for a photo-shoot shaking hands and a Media Statement would be released saying: we are looking forward to working together to grow Football in Australia. No doubt, the people inside & outside the football industry who are prone to daily pessimism, will already be looking for the next issue to whine about. Be prepared for the next issue to be gravely described as: "not a good look for football"
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I don't have the link now, and I may have not taken it in completely, but I thought I read that the cap was going to go up by $50,000 more - I'm not sure whether that's $50,000 which was already planned, or an additional $50,000.
AR
Guest
Do we know if the men took less to fund this?
fadida
Guest
So the sky isn't going to fall? The lack of crisis around the league will disappoint many
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Looks like a fair and reasonable outcome for the Matildas.
At work
Roar Rookie
Thank you to the PFA for not destroying the start of the season.