Frank Lowy has released a public statement after the revelations earlier this week about the future of the Wellington Phoenix in the A-League.
Low has said that due to the amount of “ill-informed and inaccurate statements about the future of the A-League being made by various parties” he felt compelled to make a public statement about the League as a whole.
Lowy denies that there have been any talks with any clubs about anything to do with a replacement for the Phoenix, and said that he had assured Sydney FC Chairman Scott Barlow no decision had been taken about putting the Phoenix’s replacement in Sydney, or anywhere else.
It has been widely rumoured on social media, and reported by AAP’s Vince Rugari that a team in Sydney would likely replace the Phoenix.
That report says that Football South Coast chairman Eddy de Gabriele has confirmed his association is involved in talks with the Sutherland Shire and St George associations – driven by Football Federation Australia (FFA) – to join forces and form a ‘super club’ to possibly replace Wellington next season in the A-League.
Here is Lowy’s statement in full:
The Chairman of FFA, Mr Frank Lowy AC, said today he felt compelled to issue the following statement given the ill-informed and inaccurate statements about the future of the A-League being made by various parties.
Mr Lowy said:
“In April this year, I attended a meeting of Hyundai A-League Chairmen and explained to them the long-term strategy regarding Wellington Phoenix.
“Since that time I have not heard a peep from anybody except for ongoing discussions with Phoenix.
“Earlier this week I had a telephone conversation with Sydney FC Chairman Scott Barlow and advised him that no decision has been made about replacing Phoenix should that club no longer be part of the A-League.
“I explained to him that it was obvious that if Phoenix was to leave FFA would need to replace that team with another to maintain the 10-club A-League which we are required to do under our broadcast agreement. In other words, it would not be an extension of the A-League, but a continuation of the 10-club competition.
“As is stands, Phoenix has four years to demonstrate that they are an asset to the competition and not a liability instead of simply asking for a 10-year extension to their licence.
“Ultimately, if Phoenix is not part of the A-League then FFA is obliged to explore options to maintain a 10-club competition.
“Clearly, a new team in south Sydney is one of those options. Discussions have also taken place about the potential for a new team in Wollongong. Even a new team in Victoria, Canberra or Queensland can’t be completely ruled out at this stage.
“I advised Scott that any future decision will be based on facts and figures and not emotion and asked him to provide FFA with a carefully considered submission about his club’s position. I also advised him that that FFA would consult with his club, or any other club, affected by any future proposals.
“This is why there is no point in conducting an uninformed public debate, which simply creates confusion and unnecessary anxiety. I explained this to Scott directly which is why I am disappointed he has chosen to make an emotive public issue about it at this stage.
“And my advice to Graham Arnold is to focus on making Sydney FC a champion team instead of entering a debate he knows nothing about.
“When all the facts are known FFA will make a decision based on rational judgments and consultation with the clubs affected about what is good for the game.
“Meanwhile, Sydney FC should prepare its factual submission and Phoenix should concentrate on the task ahead.”
Bondy
Guest
You've only been posting here for a year as Mr F not years or is there something your not telling us ? .. ..
Realfootball
Guest
Sorry MF, you are wrong on this one. What Frank Lowy said to Scott Barlow was that "no decision has been made". This in no way contradicts his statement that discussions have taken place. You need to read his statement more carefully. I have to say I think you are just stirring the pot here. Do you really think that Frank Lowy's statement was not carefully vetted for any possible issues before being made public? Not a chance in hell.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Given my history on the Roar over the years, and believe me it has been full of ups and downs, I can promise you that it is unlikely in the extreme that I receive any sort of special protection. Every now and then, the bot picks up something in even an innocuous post, and sets it aside for the eds to check it. That aside, if you (and a couple of others) could follow the example of AR and I in being very civil in our posting, sticking to the topic and trying to add something worthwhile to the discussion, I am sure neither of you will face any problems. All in all, the eds do a fantastic job, even if every now and then you get the feeling that the world is against you.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
It came through yesterday arvo, around 3-4pm.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Waz I could not have put it any better.
Mr Football
Roar Rookie
@Horto Magiko It's funny you say that,because not all of my comments to Mr AFL make it online either. Conspiracy I think.
Bondy
Guest
Waz FFA know exactly what we post here dont worry about that every sporting body does even the VFL .
Bondy
Guest
A rational statement from Frank but why is the article almost hidden here at The Roar , it appears to have come in after work so to speak the first posters posted at 5 pm ? ...
Justin Mahon
Guest
The Chairmans statement wasn't designed to clarify your questions. I will however. 1. The FFA are giving the Nix an opportunity to surprise while they prepare the soil for the next club. Your rhetorical literalism creates the only misleading statements here. 2. Mr Lowy makes claims about the scope and timing of talks and their purpose and makes no denial of any talks as you suggest. Again, you are misleading. The openness to other offers while keeping the Nix in the tent is strategy. Plain, ruthless strategy. Precisely what I would expect from the body charged with running the game in the interests of the member federations. 3. See 2 above. In respect of lambasting a Socceroo. I and many others applaud him. Is being a Socceroo a license to say whatever you like about the the FFA in ignorance? Nice try, but no banana.
Justin Mahon
Guest
I thought their inclusion was a good idea. However, I was wrong. As it turns out, not a lot of value is added and while they have served a purpose - existing - better opportunities await and the FFA are right, sadly, to act. Getting the AFC of one's back is an added bonus.
Justin Mahon
Guest
Sydney FC played politics and got smacked down. I hope the next Chair of the board ensures the members interests (state federations) does likewise if needed to ensure that the broader game of football is protected. The league has a role to play in the football landscape. They should focus on that role. Melbourne Victory are proof of what's achievable if you simply put your head down and work like a dog with the very best people you can find. There are no short cuts.
Waz
Guest
It's not about crowds in the first instance, it's about Fox Sports and where they can sell the most subscribers and advertising.
Waz
Guest
The fact CCM and Jets are on the ropes only makes this more urgent. Both of those clubs contribute to Foxtel and SBSs revenues (through advertising and subscribers) whereas Nix don't, or at least not to the same degree. The conversation with Fox seems to have gone along the lines of Super Rugbys negotiations : "if you want more money, give us more Australian content" .... If Gallop does that he may indeed get more money and clubs like CCM, Jets and others may come off the ropes.
Waz
Guest
Correct! And if we are to restrict discussion to only what we know as "facts" it would be difficult to pass an opinion - which is what blog-sites like this are built for after all. Personally I doubt Frank Lowy even knows this site even exists. His target audience was the media and then the named individuals. Not Mr. Football, Fuss or Waz lol
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Yes, their commercial difficulties from the last couple of years are well documented, what of it? We, as a community, were spot on in establishing why the FFA were looking to replace the Nix with a 3rd Sydney team. We've seen related parties exploring the possibility of spreading games between Sydney and the Gong. It's a very short jump from that possibility to an existing regional NSW club explore a similar possibility (and in fact, the present owner is on the record of having looked at himself). In the end, you and fussball raved about this wonderful statement from the Chairman, which confirmed everything we had been discussing on this very board, and then you both try and make some sort of obscure point. Here's an idea, what about dropping the belligerence and trying to contribute something interesting to the discussion?
Boban Fett
Guest
Still not convinced about Southern Sydney. I remember Sydney Olympic tried playing games in 2002-2003 at Remondis and the crowds weren't particularly impressive.
Fido Rover
Guest
That's very true but, if you restrict all discussion to those who have all the information you don't have a democracy, and those who have not all the information sometimes come up with new ideas. Think of fall those commenting on climate change who could not integrate a partial differential equation in three dimensions yet have an opinion
AR
Guest
MF is spot on. I'm not sure if Fuss realises the point he is making. He triumphantly says: "Chairman Frank Lowy felt compelled to issue a statement “given the ill-informed & inaccurate statements being made by various parties.” ...as if to say "ha! Take that Roar posters!" Maybe Fuss should read Lowy's comment again.
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
And mister football forgot point #4 form the nix scapegoat article 4) ccm and jets are on the ropes Highly convenient omission
Horto Magiko
Roar Rookie
I'm sick of this. Mister football is a protected species here. Highly suspicious that only 50% of my comments make it online in reply to him..benign comments at that.