The long-anticipated delegation from FIFA and AFC arrives in town this week, as they look the mediate a resolution between the FFA and the club owners regarding the make-up of the FFA Congress – and, ultimately, the future of the game in Australia.
At the heart of the matter is power. The FFA have it and the clubs want it.
FFA hold the power of incumbency, meaning it’s therefore up to the clubs to present the alternate vision for the game, but we’re yet to see any detail.
If they want the keys to the kingdom – well, the A-League kingdom, anyway – then they must lay out what they plan to do with it.
They want an independent A-League, something most football fans support in principle, but that’s the key – in principle, because we don’t know what they will do with that independence.
They say they can significantly grow the revenue and the capital that can be invested into the clubs, but where is the modeling? It’s easy to make claims and speak in motherhood statements, but the devil is always in the detail. That’s where FFA has fallen down since the release of its Whole of Football Plan a few years ago.
The ambition was to be applauded, but it wasn’t followed up with any commitment (well, there was a four-year strategic vision that seems to be going swimmingly…) and three years on we’re probably further away from achieving that vision than when the process started.
And why? Because the FFA failed to unite everyone behind their vision. It came across as FFA dictating what the vision was, rather than it being a reflection of the game’s vision for itself.
[latest_videos_strip category=”football” name=”Football”]
If the clubs want to unite the football community behind them, they have to answer some specific questions.
Who will run the league? Who will be on the commission? How will that commission be selected? How will extra money be generated? How will that money be split among the clubs? What are their plans for expansion, second division, promotion and relegation?
The questions are endless, but we’re yet to see any details. The clubs, apparently, say they have it but won’t release it. That’s simply not good enough.
If you want the fans and football community to support you, we need to know what your vision is – otherwise perhaps it is better the devil you know.
Of course, we have seen some A-League club owners voice their theories on how to grow and develop the game and, well, let’s just say it leaves a lot to be desired.
I speak of course of Tony Sage and Mike Charlesworth’s idea to expand the A-League into Southeast Asia, with teams potentially in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.
I’ve written before about the lunacy of such an idea, but in an independent A-League, would there be anyone to stop them implementing their plan? Does FFA retain a seat on any commission, or a veto power for any decision that is so clearly against the best interest of football in this country?
Which leads to one of FFA’s main arguments, that the club owners care more about their hip pocket than they do about the development of the game. When you read ideas such as expansion into Southeast Asia, it’s hard to argue with them.
It’s unlikely we’ll get any resolution to the ongoing saga this week, with FIFA and AFC in town to listen rather than act. But with the issue front and centre on the agenda again this week, it’s time for the clubs to back up their talk and lay their cards on the table.
It’s the least the fans – many of whom support their clubs – deserve.
Nemesis
Guest
The Association of Professional Football Clubs Australia have released their Submission to FIFA/AFC. Haven't read it yet. Looks comprehensive. APFCA makes submission to FIFA/AFC delegation https://apfca.com.au/apfca-makes-submission-to-fifaafc-delegation/
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Good luck to them; hope they have a solid plan. You can't just throw out the dictators and replace them with more warring dictators, without having a better way of doing things. We all agree it hasn't been the A-League's best year and there's big room for improvement, but the future of Australian football is worth fighting for. There have been some positive results for the Footballroos and our 4th appearance in a row for the FIFA WC this year. Plus the ladies game is taking off and the Matildas are leading the way. All this on a shoestring budget and virtually no media promotion, so its not all doom and gloom. I'm confident we will turn it around, start getting better again, especially for our kids and the future of Australian football.
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
There is also a new woman's group talking to the FIFA reps as the representative of women footballers (Women Onside). A few new groups floating around purporting to represent the game's stakeholders, or segments thereof. Are they legit? I don't know, but someone needs to check out the bona fides of each one lest they all lead us back to the very same oligarchy we are ostensibly trying to reform.
chris
Guest
Like i said earlier...its jobs for the boys and its not what you know but who you know. Spencer Prior? One of the most disliked and selfish coaches doing the rounds.
Kangajets
Guest
claudio The field will be shaped like an X .
Kangajets
Guest
Lionheart Those cup results are some of the most exciting results in ages . We must enjoy them while we can Not sure there isn’t a massive gulf , most of the time man city will beat most premier league teams by 4 or 5 goals.
Footoverhand
Guest
Lol
Footoverhand
Guest
Agree, I like the idea of more special interest groups, so no one is close to majority and hopefully decisions will be for the good of the game and not for agenda.
Lionheart
Guest
huge gulf? Funny, I'm in England at present and watched two FA Cup matches. In the first match the team at the very bottom of League 2 (3rd tier, Rochdale) drew with EPL heavyweight Tottenham, and in the second match Wigan (League 1) beat EPL tearaways Manchester City. I just don't see that huge gulf. That's football.
Nemesis
Guest
One interest group, who I assume will be an addition to the new FFA Congress, has met FIFA & AFC today. Here is their Media Statement. Media Statement – Football Coaches Australia https://mailchi.mp/22ace2d8c025/fca-media-statement-ffa-congress-review-meetings-with-fifa-and-afc
Kris
Guest
Didn't defend it or advocate for it. My point is that is the model that the Government (and the Lowy's want).
marco
Guest
@ Cuz How much would the A League get if Gil Bought it???.... I'm thinking sweet FA!
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Get rid of the Lowy's and offer Lyall Gorman the job as CEO with an offer he can't refuse. Best sports administrator in the country. I heard Gillon McLachlin was going to buy the A-League and turn it into A-League X. They will play it on oval shaped fields, with four goals at each end as big as a double decker bus. No chance of parking the bus in A-League X.
Waz
Guest
Chris I agree there’s risks but Lowy is hiding behind the fear that foreign owners are bad for the game - it’s all FUD from him when all he wants is power and control. We can now see the effects of centralised power - our game is stagnating at all levels and we now need people at the top to fix it or be fixed by fifa
Waz
Guest
Kanga, The English FA don’t control the pyramid below the EPL, that’s also independent right down to division two which is under the Football League. I think even the divisions below that are independent as well - that’s how FIFA works - Clubs organise their own competitions.
Nemesis
Guest
No. That's more the NBL, which is apparently the benchmark for new sporting competitions.
spruce moose
Guest
https://www.inbrief.co.uk/football-law/football-associations-power/ That will answer your question. The situation is the same for the EFL as well.
chris
Guest
SN ok but how many of those players from grass roots that follow their dreams overseas actually make it to a level that is say, better than the A-League (or even NPL)? Not that many. Players don't go overseas because they dont like the system here or the governance. They go overseas because they may get picked up by a Brighton, or a Genoa or if really good a Liverpool etc. Most end up playing in leagues that are comparable (if not below) that of the A-League. The connection between grass roots and the top of the pyramid is evolving and the Mariners are a great example. They have connections with NPL clubs in the northern parts of Sydney and with expansion, this connectivity will only grow.
chris
Guest
@waz totally agree that we need an injection of life. New teams will do that no doubt. I have concerns though that with a fledgling league (as the A-League is), if you leave it up to the owners to administer will they invite new teams into the comp? Who will make the decision on expansion etc? While we can say the EPL model is what we should be aiming for, remember they inherited an established league with teams, divisions, conferences etc basically all set. We dont have that. There is so much to do here (expansion, pro/rel etc.) that leaving it up in the hands of the owners may not give us the best outcomes.
Square Nostrils
Guest
Chris Nothings really changed in football at the top, different name as Chairman,same old story no PLAN. Frank Lowy had more plans but essentially they were in reality quick fixes, Seperate the old clubs from the new, go for the big one, holding the World Cup in Australia. As a result of the first plan we now see the inevitable, FIFA coming in to hopefully help sort it. As for the second there was so much had egg on so many faces that I'm suprised I haven't seen "Souffle Enterprise's" listed on the Australian stock exchange. Junior amateur clubs have never had the connection with the top tier of professional football, generally following overseas football, or locally depending on the state NRL or AFL. rather than NSL. More are following the A-League, but still a small percentage of the football fraternity. Where's the PLAN to increase that percentage apart from gimmicks like Luke Skywalker thundersticks.