FIFA is poised to bring a hammer blow to Australian football if warring tribes cannot agree on a new power structure for the game in showdown meetings in Sydney today.
The governance war, which has raged behind closed doors for over two years, could come to an end today if Football Federation Australia’s state federations agree on a new power-sharing model.
It could also mean the end of Steven Lowy’s tenure, and the Lowy family’s 15-year reign at FFA.
FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura has delivered a letter to Lowy overnight, which states FIFA “clearly anticipates that the proposed changes to the FFA Constitutions will be adopted at tomorrow’s EGM”.
Those changes are essentially to grow the number of seats at the top table of FFA, to allow more voices and decision-makers.
They’ve been the result of months of talks and an independently-brokered working group.
A-League clubs, responsible for over half the game’s revenue, want more say in how the game is run, and the ability to run an independent league.
Players – as represented by Professional Footballers Australia – also want more involvement.
The meetings, which will take place at FFA headquarters, will hinge on four ‘minnow federations’ of ACT, NT, Tasmania and Northern NSW, who are the swing voters.
They have been lobbied by Lowy to resist the reforms, despite the looming threat of FIFA intervention.
If the reforms are blocked, FIFA could sack the FFA board and replace them with a normalisation committee, or opt for the “nuclear option” of suspending the country’s membership – which could
have disastrous outcomes for the Socceroos and Matildas.
In a situation of last resort, Australia’s international sides could be replaced in the draws for the upcoming Asian Cup and Women’s World Cup.
At work
Roar Rookie
Seriously, a photo of Ben Buckley...
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Yes, from tomorrow we'll call it football.
RF
Roar Rookie
Now finally, no thanks to Stephen Lowy, we can get on with making something better out of the shambles he and Gallop have left behind. Gallop is long, long overdue for the door.
RF
Roar Rookie
I'm a NNSW resident and have for years paid fees to the local football body. I am utterly disgusted with their intransigence, and that of the ACT. These two micro federations were willing to risk a normalisation committee or our international suspension. Well, they lost, and I hope the members of both regions jettison their management at the first opportunity.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Ray Gatt @Gatty54 Steven Lowy to hold press conference at 1.30
Mister Football
Roar Guru
https://dailyfootballshow.com/peace-in-our-time-sweeping-changes-to-australian-football-governance-passed-at-egm/ Peace in our time? – Sweeping changes to Australian football governance passed at EGM By Joey Lynch - October 2, 2018 The king is dead, long live the king. The civil war over the governance of Australian football that at times threatened to derail the sport has, seemingly, concluded; reforms to democratise Football Federation Australia’s (FFA) governance structures and create a working group tasked with finding a new A, W and Y-League model passed at an extraordinary general meeting of the FFA in Sydney today.Despite the vehement opposition of FFA Chairman Frank Lowy and the existing board of directors, seven of the nine Member Federations and sole A-League representative united in their approval a resolution reforming the A-League constitution, while the vote towards a new A-League model working group was unanimous.Ray Gatt of The Australian indicated on Twitter that the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Northern New South Wales (NNSW) federations voted against the reforms.The vote will see the FFA’s congress – which had been the smallest and least democratic in world football – expanded to give a greater voice in the game to the A-League clubs (APFCA), the player’s union (PFA) and female football.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Joey Lynch @joeylynchy · 7m Working Group towards new A-League model will feature presidents of 9 member feds, 5 A-League club chairs, 2 members of the PFA executive, 2 members of the Women’s Football Council, 2 FFA directors, members of the FFA management as required and an independent, non-voting chair. Joey Lynch @joeylynchy · 6m Meaning that NNSW and ACT, despite voting against the new constitution, will still sit on Working Group developing a new A-League model. They got their cake and ate it
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Both resolutions passed. It's the dawning of a new era for soccer in Australia.
Wise Old Elf
Guest
As I understand it a deal has been agreed upon. So it just need to be voted on.