Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin says the process that has all but ensured Steven Lowy will become the next chairman of Football Federation Australia has stirred up “unpleasant” feelings among the A-League clubs.
Lowy Jr is set to succeed his father, current FFA head Frank Lowy, as the game’s most powerful figure after he was announced as one of four candidates for only four vacancies on the FFA board.
The terms of Lowy Sr, deputy chairman Brian Schwartz and Phil Wolanski expire next month while Peter Tredinnick, who recently resigned from the board, will also be replaced at next month’s annual general meeting.
But several A-League clubs are furious they were unable to put forward a candidate of their own, former Sydney Olympics boss Mal Hemmerling, who was unable to secure a seconding vote from at least two of the state federations.
The state federations refused to support any candidate that didn’t go through a selection process controlled by FFA, which had engaged international headhunting firm Egon Zehnder to identify potential board members.
“It’s not as if we’re acting capriciously or are attempting some sort of unfair manoeuvre,” Griffin told AAP.
“All we were trying to do was put forward one director on a board of nine.
“It’s hardly storming the citadel, is it? Just to put (forward) an incredibly experienced sports administrator, who had been the chairman of the NBL, run the Olympics, run the Formula One grand prix, and had actually owned a franchise, the Adelaide 36ers.
“Just as they ensured their chosen candidates were seconded by the states, it would have been sensible, reasonable and appropriate for them to do likewise with our candidate.”
The other approved candidates are former Socceroo and lawyer Daniel Moulis, investment banker Crispin Murray and Commonwealth Bank executive Kelly Bayer Rosmarin.
Griffin said the implications for the game’s governance would be widespread.
“You have a major stakeholder in the game in Australia denied an opportunity to put forward one candidate for nomination,” he said.
“One has to wonder what role (is there for) the major stakeholder, which the clubs believe we are.
“We can just be sent off to the corner whenever the states and the board of the FFA determine.”
Griffin said the A-League clubs were now owed an explanation by Lowy Jr, who has long been considered an FFA chairman-in-waiting.
“If Steven is elected chairman and one assumes that will occur, one would have thought Steven will address these issues with us very early in his tenure,” he said.
“I have no interest in discussing it with Schwartz, Wolanski or Frank. No interest at all.
“They’re the ones with the problem, not me. It was a nomination from the majority of the clubs, we’ve acted incredibly reasonably and I think it’s now up to those on the other side of the table to try and explain to us how this was permitted to occur.
“They don’t have to, they can just ignore us. Which I expect them to do.”
TimO.
Guest
But a majority of all the clubs should of been enough even if it was without the 'big 3'. In my own opinion the entire system needs a restructure, including the idea of state federation that people like Les Murray opposes. Football has grown faster then we could have expected in the last 10 and we need a fresh set of eyes to oversea the next step. We can't be having debates about the integrity of the FFA's governance any longer
Justin Mahon
Guest
Thank you. I am indeed. The reality is that the minute you have an election - you have a campaign, I congratulate the Chairman on his campaign.
Realfootball
Guest
Thanks Ben. I am not without misgivings on the position I have taken. I can certainly see the opposing view. Means and ends - the perennial conundrum.
Realfootball
Guest
Agree MF that there is much rebuilding of bridges to be done. The clubs cannot be, or feel to be, excluded from the management of the League their teams play in.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
No probs with your opinion, and thank you for expressing them in a civil manner (as suggested by Ben). You are right that the new chairman needs to engage openly with the club owners (even if the new chairman's father acted with some subterfuge in denying the clubs the opportunity of nominating a rep for election to the board).
The artist formerly known as Punter
Guest
Are you saying you predicted these? point 1, well as seen this proved to be FIFA's Waterloo, everything went downhill from there, so if you predicted this, you either was hoping this or you could see clearly how Political this was & you should be in politics. If unsure what I mean, maybe not a same scale, but how GWS got their stadiums when there was no need for it. Point 2, not surprised as this was involving the AFL. Point 3, Fury & GC had to stand up on their own, without the WC bid, unfortunately the property market killed the Fury investors & GC was Palmerised. Not huge predictions MF, I've always viewed you as PRO AFL then anti football. Just remember Fuss too has great knowledge of AFL, but that doesn't make him a friend of AFL, likewise with you on football.
Justin Thighm
Roar Guru
That's correct Fussball, they didn't get their candidate through the process and didn't get a second supporter for the motion. Greg Griffin is doing an excellent job for AU and is entitled to his opinion more than most.
pimbo
Roar Rookie
Who is losing hundreds of millions? http://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/2015/04/22/crows-cats-surprise-battlers-afl-money-wars/ Your figures are wrong anyway. These are operating losses and don't include financial assistance or share of prize money from the FFA. It al;so doen't take into account that clubs paid between 5 and 10 million each just to join the A-League.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Whilst I do not agree with your position on this matter, Realfootball, I would like to thank you for providing an intellectually robust and compelling argument.
Realfootball
Guest
One final point I would like to stress - the importance of inclusivity. Strong leadership and collaborative, consultative relationships are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, I suggest that they are one and the same. Steven Lowy must engage with the A League club owners in a spirit of openness and goodwill. Their grievances must be addressed.
Realfootball
Guest
I never referred to either a monarchy or a personal fiefdom. Those are your terms, not mine. So suggest that they are my "theory" misrepresents my argument, MF. Likewise, to suggest that the chairman simply passed on authority to his son seems to be a judgement based on very slender acquaintance with either the process or the circumstances. But we are going round in circles here. I am happy with the outcome; you are not. I understand your misgivings, but I am less concerned with the means than the end. Slippery ground in philosophical terms, I know, but in this age of ethical elasticity, I can live with it.
Realfootball
Guest
No I really don't, MF. We seem to be going round in circles here. I say I don't know, and you respond by asking me again. So either we play 40 questions, using one question on continuous loop, or you tell me.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
You are correct re MV - I am talking about total losses across all clubs over the life of the A-League. The sum of $200+ million across 11 seasons has been widely reported. Regardless of what the exact sum is, the club owners have been covering these losses to the present day, and will need to do so for at least two more seasons (until the next TV deal comes in). In the meantime, their attempts to nominate a representative for election to the board (that's all they were trying to do, to nominate a representative for election to the board) have been stymied. Now whether you agree with the process or not that has stopped the clubs from having a direct voice at the table, I simply put forward a basic enough viewpoint that the club owners would be entitled to be a bit miffed at being denied a voice while coughing up millions of dollars on an annual basis to keep the league afloat.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
rf really? you don't know why the clubs couldn't get two seconds from the state federations?
Mister Football
Roar Guru
There are certainly examples of benevolent dictatorships achieving economic results which perhaps would not have been possible under modern liberal democracies. There is a view that such processes can't be foisted on a society which is yet to go through the growing pangs which most Western democracies underwent over the course of centuries. I don't have a problem with that viewpoint at all. Like monarchies of yore, it was always a bit of hit and miss when the crown was passed onto the heir to the throne - so just because you have sound government one generation, does not necessarily mean it will be replicated the next (benevolent dictator or otherwise). In other words, I would not count on the monarchy/personal fiefdom theory necessarily pointing to sound governance across more than one generation. But it's not even a question of good or bad, it's a pretty unprofessional and backward look that a chairman can simply pass on authority to his son (in this particular example), especially when we have supposedly moved on beyond the political games of "old soccer". I think some clubs might beg to differ regarding the monarchy/personal fiefdom theory.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Justin Mahon - are you related to Justin Mahin? The process is ostensibly under the control of 9 people - but I think you are smart enough to know what the reality is.
Bondy
Guest
Mister Football I note the NRL GF finished with a 1 point margin and it was deemed the most extraordinary game ever, a 1 point margin is the average winning margin to an A League game ? . I note the AFL GF finished with a 46 point winning margin roughly 15 points over the average winning margin to an AFL game 31 points being the average winning margin . AFL overall is not a competitive sport and that's why its still largely a predominantly Souther States based sport .. AFL it'll stay here and annoy every other c^^t .
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
" Efficient organisations are not .. run by committees. They are run by strong individuals with a clear vision" BINGO! Those 2 statements should be repeated every time the Egg Ball trolls enter Football discussion with their daily sniping at FFA & Frank Lowy.
Justin Mahon
Guest
The process was under the control of 9 people. They made a choice you don't like. Tough.
Justin Mahon
Guest
I absolutely agree, however, without grassroots and international football what do we have as a game? I can imagine football without the league, but I cannot imagine the league without football. The league is a means to and ends - being the middle of the pathway from the grass roots to representative football. A self-funding league that does nothing else is irrelevant. I'll watch the EPL instead.