FFA has opened its ears, but the music’s only beginning

The impasse that plagued Australian football over the past two weeks is finally over. For now.

The fans will return to their rightful place in the stands and the FFA has a number of jobs on its to-do list between now and February. But the winds of change can not stop blowing.

The A-League’s active supporters gave a resounding and united vote of approval to the FFA following lengthy discussions on Wednesday night, though not without a parting shot of warning.

Pending appropriate amendments to the flawed banning process the fans will remain onside, yet anything less than a satisfactory response will not be accepted.

Football supporters will have to wait until February 19 to be convinced the FFA has listened, but from all reports it sounds as if the governing body has finally accepted the need to engage crucial stakeholders.

The last few days cannot be underestimated, this period of consultation and engagement between the FFA, club owners and supporter representatives has the potential to dramatically forge a new era in Australian football.

Under Frank Lowy, the A-League was run in an autocratic style, arguably for the good of the game in the early tentative years. But the game has moved on since the fallout of the Crawford Report and those in power must adapt.

In some ways The Daily Telegraph‘s report came at a perfect time, a time where a new chairman and board have been immediately forced to acknowledge the passion of football fans their importance to the sport’s growth.

There is now an opportunity to create a unique football culture in Australia, one which places fan experience at the top of concerns and where the FFA governs the country’s fastest growing sport in a more inclusive manner.

Germany’s 50+1 model is a faraway dream for the A-League, but the focus on ensuring fans are well treated and respected is more than attainable. The FFA must recognise the benefits of such a system.

The German model almost stands alone when it comes to listening to fans and taking their grievances on board, mainly because the clubs understand and support them. It is not perfect – there are still numerous protests about heavy-handed security measures in particular – but it is better than most.

It may be wishful thinking but this style of governance can happen in the A-League, and this week’s meetings could be the catalyst.

Already we have seen club figures such as Melbourne Victory’s Anthony Di Pietro and Perth Glory’s Peter Filopoulos express succinct and intelligent comments on the need to move forward. The clubs have recognised that together with the fans they can help instigate progression.

Supporters may regard the new banning policy as the major outcome from the protests, but it is only the start. There are just as relevant, if not more vital, aspects of Australian football that require attention and A-League owners have likely sensed an opportunity.

For the FFA’s bumbling through the past two weeks is only the tipping point in a 12-month period that has been questionably handled.

The drawn-out saga over the collective bargaining agreement was embarrassing for the sport, as was the way Wellington Phoenix’s licence uncertainty was handled with the proposal of a third Sydney-based club. Frank Lowy’s rebuke towards Graham Arnold was unnecessary and concerning.

The silencing of Ange Postecoglou was another unnecessary public dressing down that could have been dealt in-house. Adding to the furore has been the failure to negotiate a sale of the Newcastle Jets and an initial lacklustre response to the Bakrie Group’s financial concerns.

Clubs are clearly concerned about the competition’s immediate and long-term future and want answers on marketing, expansion plans, semi-professional and grassroots models, the new broadcast deal, and financial stability. More importantly, they want to be part of creating solutions.

It will take a combined effort to push the game forward. The recent debacle with the Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory kit clash highlighted that the FFA can struggle to successfully govern every aspect of the A-League.

“The foundations have been built. Those foundations now need to be strengthened. We need to talk about challenges and opportunities,” Steven Lowy said after meeting with A-League club representatives.

“The foundations do feel shaky today. Our objective is to take that away, and to do that with good will, good discussion.”

Shaky, indeed. Lowy’s assessment is a big drift from David Gallop’s pre-season war cries, which championed the game’s state. It was great for the ego but lacking perspective, and perhaps a ploy geared towards brokering a big television payday.

Lowy’s acceptance that not everything is rosy is refreshing and necessary.

The fan boycotts have opened the door for further discussion on the A-League’s entire governance, not just banning processes. It has huge potential.

A-League clubs have been galvanised as a result of the protests and have stood out in unison with each other and their supporters. It has given them more leverage and that has to continue.

Early in the drama, I proposed the need for a separate entity to run the A-League, made up of elected club representatives. It may still be too early to implement, but there has to be a move towards such a model.

This is an opportunity to enforce change in crucial areas of the game’s future through a combined effort. The relationship must continue to grow between all stakeholders, which means more consultation and engagement.

Steven Lowy, after an uninspiring start to his chairmanship, has come out of the recent meetings looking good from all reports. His father did all the nasty work when it was necessary, now it is his time to produce his own brand of inclusive leadership.