It is being reported that both FIFA and the AFC are looking to have the FFA change the way that they operate.
Given the process used to elect our current Chairman and committee, they may have a point.
One of the great things regarding Australia is our ability to undertake and value good governance.
We have groups such as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission that boldly takes on some of the largest and politically connected names on the planet. We support the activities of such agencies and cheer them on as they tackle the tide of self-interest that would otherwise overwhelm us.
So why was there so little outcry when the currency FFA Chairman, son of the previous Chairman, was elected unopposed? Why were people content with a non-transparent recruitment process?
That in a country of 23 million people with a proud sporting history there were only sufficiently qualified nominated applicants to fill one position each in the committee raises questions.
A few bold figures in A-League clubs chose to challenge the system however the footballing community failed to rally behind them. Their efforts proved Quixotic.
The moral position that many took was that the “ends justified the means”. The adoption of consequentialism by the footballing community is dangerous.
Why a community that is crying for improved engagement between the administrators and the grassroots would sanction a process which reinforced their alienation is confounding and one for the anthropologists.
In the end we have undermined the very person who is now in charge and who is, on the face of it, proving an able Chairman.
By sanctioning a process which allowed him power without public contest we have allowed doubt regarding his competency and decision making to take hold. This is being manifested in the reportedly impending intervention from the AFC and FIFA.
The list of sons of ex-leaders elected without contest is not an auspicious one. As Australians we should be demanding more and by not doing so have left the FFA and the Chairman exposed.
And in this regard we are to blame, as we were the ones who failed to rally behind those who questioned the system. Despite a strong culture of volunteerism we have allowed apathy to dominate our behaviour.
Good governance matters and it is up to us, not the FFA or the selection committee, to ensure that it happens.
NUFCMVFC
Roar Guru
But but but it's all better than the old NSL etc etc I recall being conncerned by the example of Nepotism at the time To be fair the other side is that the AFC have some people who are rather immature, petulent etc given Absolute Monarchies who are probably bitter about Australia winning the Asian Cup, plus qualifying for two world cups at the expense of what presumably would have been a Mid East team and we have pushed what was a West-East AFC qualifying 2-2 equalibrium into a 3-1 favour of the East, This can sound odd but think of the whimsical way in which the AFC Champs League spots were adjusted for one year a few seasons back - probably a way that Perth who missed out being nudged aside for someone else to take their place. This is continental football politics And FIFA, well, perhaps something to do with fallout from the World Cup bidding and the whingeing of Lowy The FFA does need to be taken to task though, people seem to think it's fine now, but basically have a concentration of power and cronyism develops in such a way that Football in Australia's potential - or rather its governance competency, despite being better than the NSL, would still be prevented from reaching its potential and so mired in medocrity which ultimately filters through to the performance of the teams etc
Johnno
Guest
Do FIFA not want an independant commision running soccer in Australia.
Neil
Guest
Waz I am a FFA cheerleader and before I get a blast, yes they have made mistakes. However a national A league second division is way beyond the financial capacity of football in Australia and could possibly destroy the gains made over the last 12 years.
Johnno
Guest
Does that mean FIFA don't want an independent commission to run football in OZ?
Justin Mahon
Guest
Because the FFA are a far better run organisation than either of them. Vastly better. It runs on the small of an oily rag and gets a lot done. Sure it makes mistakes, but many of these are a function of its agenda being vastly beyond its revenues. Football has a long way to go, but if we allow the AFC to stick it's nose in we'll be in deep shot within on TV broadcast cycle.
Justin Mahon
Guest
Nail - head
Justin Mahon
Guest
Pure ignorance. Independant commission or not. Asian sokkah mafia looking to wrestle control of league away from FFA or not. Fact is, under FIFA statutes, even with an Independant commission, the FFA would still have to sanction the league and every single match played in it. Just as FA's do the world over. Now, back to pretending to be a fellow traveler and friend of the world game you numskull.
Squizz
Guest
Hemmerling was a very last minute proposed candidate and didn't get fully put forward. There was a process, even if it was very flawed. If the owners, or indeed the federations, could have put aside their own petty squabbles and decided on candidates to put through the process there could have been alternatives. They didn't and so we got what we got.
Boban Fett
Guest
Ben, I also find it hard to believe that Steven Lowy is the "only" person in Australia capable of running the FFA. I seem to remember the club owners wanted Mal Hemmerling to take over from Frank Lowy, yet Steven Lowy got the gig "unopposed". How is that possible? When you compare how much money the club owners have put into the game compared with Frank Lowy (and their net worth compared with his) you wonder if the only thing that's changed since the Crawford Report is the performance of the national team.
Waz
Guest
bizarre !
AZ_RBB
Guest
No. It's open to everyone. Except for the RBB which is restricted to RBB members. Which is ridiculous. Do any other sports restrict people from buying tickets? I am waiting for it to be opened up because I want to stand with the RBB and let friends sit in my member seats. I know I'm not alone there either.
Waz
Guest
AZ, just to clarify - these ticket sales are to members only so far correct? It seems general public ticket sales across the A League started Wednesday this week - if that's correct, despite the SFC members fear of travelling, it's easy to see a 65-70k crowd.
AZ_RBB
Guest
It is pathetic. But surprising as well. Sfc haven't lost a Derby in 3yrs. This is basically being played on neutral ground. Their membership numbers have been decent. Where is everyone? But at the same time if there are 10-15k sfc fans yet to buy a ticket then we might be in for a huge crowd. If WSW already have 40k safe to say that'll become 45k. Add 15k sfc fans. You have your 60k without including neutrals or stadium members. Maybe 70k is on the cards? I've noticed promotion of the game has grown this past week.
Realfootball
Guest
AZ, when Wanderers were formed, I predicted that they would be bigger than Sydney FC in 3 seasons. I think I was about right. This "big club" stuff they and their players spout is laughable. It's almost as if they think that if they say if often enough, it will come true. 5k is pathetic. No other way of describing it.
Perry Bridge
Guest
#Bondy You too dear sir. (the Rugby discussion.....ah yes, back in 1870 certainly Rugby Football was a code of 'football' but once the primary 'goal' of the game was no longer to kick a goal but to achieve a 'try/touch down' then it becomes a stretch!! But then others will argue so long as you're not on horse back.....)
punter
Guest
Mattq, exactly correct, I think we are past the time worrying about what people call it. We were talking about football & clearly so the day & I mentioned football, someone else said 'you mean Soccer', I said, your issue.
mattq
Guest
Bondy, my point is you can call it whatever you like. No one should get upset by the term soccer as we all referred to the game as such prior to 2005. I interchange but my default is soccer purely out of old habits. However I fully support defending it as the true and original football.
AR
Guest
People who take 'offence' at calling the game 'AFL' are almost as silly as those who take 'offence' at 'soccer'. I mean, really. Are these people adults? I heard Del Piero utter 'soccer' several times while he was playing in Australia. Naturally, Cahill called the game 'soccer' when he was plying his trade in MLS. Are they secretly and snidely talking the game down? It really beggars belief that some people atrive to be offended in this way. It is purely an Australian invention for new-dawners.
AR
Guest
Yeah I think that's how many people felt Real. One senses a broadcast announcement soon. It could cast the legacy of the FFA and Gallop.
Bondy
Guest
Perry Its of little interest I'm sure but I dont acknowledge the Rugby sports as codes of football they're Rugby games in my mind and always will be I acknowledge AFL as a football code though ... Is Gridiron a code of football ? Yes .. Cheers mate enjoy your footy this weekend ...