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Battlestations in Brisbane as Roar prepare for showdown with owners

16th August, 2016
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Brisbane Roar managing director Daniel Cobb is set for a showdown with the A-League side’s Indonesian owners after accusing them of failing to inject $1.1 million into the club as promised.

Cobb met with Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop on Tuesday to discuss the numerous issues currently plaguing the Roar, including Monday’s failure to pay monthly wages to players and staff on time.

All club employees have now been paid and all superannuation payments are up to date, according to Cobb, who blamed a technical glitch for the delay.

However, the Melbourne-based businessman said his meeting with FFA was because of a “default” from the Roar’s owners, Indonesian conglomerate the Bakrie Group, on the recapitalisation of the club.

“I agreed to come in as managing director in order to stabilise the club on the condition that a $1.1 million dollar injection into the club was provided on July 1st 2016,” Cobb said in a statement released by the club.

“As of today in regards to that payment, only $405,000 has been provided. This has a significant impact on the club moving forward and in particular our move to Ballymore.

“Discussions are now taking place with the The Bakrie Group about how this situation will be rectified.

“I will keep all stakeholders including the FFA and PFA informed over the coming days.”

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Cobb was appointed the Roar’s managing director two months ago, claiming to be the leader of a consortium that had agreed to buy the club.

He is understood to be on thin ice with the Bakries, with family head Nirwan Bakrie considering his future after sending two representatives to Brisbane to investigate his conduct following reports of a falling out with coach John Aloisi and football director Craig Moore.

The Roar has been asked to pay around $300,000 up front to the Queensland Rugby Union by Thursday for their proposed move to Ballymore to go ahead.

FFA is under increasing pressure to intervene, but there are questions over the federation’s capacity to take over the Roar following a number of key staff departures, including former A-League chief Damien de Bohun.

Gallop said it was time for the Bakries and Cobb to resolve their differences.

“If the club is to be sold, sell it,” Gallop said.

“If not, then the current owners must restore confidence in the operations by adequately resourcing the club.”

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