It’s very easy to create lists of what’s wrong with football in Australia today.
There is a perception that those running football are out of touch, self-interested and empire-builders. This has resulted in a total lack of trust in the FFA by most if not all stakeholders and fans in general. Further, there’s a lack of trust in the management of a number of clubs, including Central Coast, Wellington and Brisbane.
At the core is the desire – nay, belief – by many in creating a full FIFA system and, further, that the move to a full FIFA system is being stalled by the opposition by many in management at both FFA and A-League management levels.
Many of those wanting a full FIFA model argue Australia is not a unique market but rather a normal market. It’s at very least not sufficiently different to apply to it special rules that sit outside the full FIFA model.
My concern is not that we need a full FIFA model, an independent A-League, a second division, promotion and relegation et cetera; my concern is the assumption that it’s easy to do in the Australian market.
While I agree the Australia sporting marketplace is not so different from those elsewhere in the world, it’s naive to think that the money, mainstream media support and traditional affection for existing codes is not a major issue affecting to the growth of professional football in Australia.
In addition to this is the huge travel distances – no other country aside from maybe Canada has similar issues. It’s way too easy to simply not consider the issue of distance and travel.
This does not mean we stop trying to get a full FIFA model. However, the time line and the planning required are underestimated by many.
Moving forward depends on the FFA and the proposed independent A-League and the difficulties they face.
(Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Why do those running the game need to explain? The simple answer is trust. Recent events, including the recent sudden sacking of the Matildas coach, has further illustrated the lack of trust by the football community in the management teams running football in Australia today.
As trust has been eroded, many people have independently determined the best way forward – journalists, A-League clubs, former NSL clubs, fans, Professional Footballers Australia, former Socceroos and so on.
Just as trust has gone, so too in many ways has logic. Many of the ideas floated by various groups have holes in them and do not deserve to see the light of day, yet they are often talked about at length thanks to a clear lack of direction from the top.
The end result is football today is consumed by a very negative media at the professional level and constant negativity on social media.
To restore logic and trust is not an easy task, but certainly what is needed is a leadership team capable of commanding, not demanding, respect.
The leadership team needs to articulate a workable time line for a full FIFA model, but they cannot do it all. All stakeholders, including fans and professional journalists, need to listen to what the end result is. If the end result is what is wanted but the journey to this result is via a different pathway to what you want, is that such a big deal?
At some point we have to get behind the game again, as endless and constant negativity does hurt the income metrics.
Football has a bright future, more so if we can unite the tribes. We need some circuit-breakers to assist the rebuild.
Replacing David Gallop with Craig Foster and appointing Bonita Mersiades to some role in an independent A-League or at the FFA would be a good starting point.
Pedro
Guest
https://www.businessinsider.com/racism-rampant-in-football-2018-12/?r=AU&IR=T
Post_hoc
Roar Rookie
Your example also required $30 million in Federal and State Government funding. $30 million would fund a A2 League for a few seasons. Funny how the Wanderers have built their own training and Academy centre for $17 million, but funded by our Owners, The Mariners have done something similar, so has City, Roar have built their own academy I believe. Amazing how Football does this on it's own, but AFL go begging for $30 million for the Lions, $20 million for GWS, I believe Swans are asking for around the same amount for their training facilities.
Post_hoc
Roar Rookie
AR, let me ask you in relation to your preferred Sport AFL If media are not to be cheerleaders or agenda setters then explain Eddie McGuire? Is he a media person or is he a Club President? When is he “cheering for the game and setting the agenda” and when is he not, because I am pretty certain there appears to be no Chinese Wall in relation to him . Eddie not your cup of tea? How about Koche? Which one is he? When he is on Sunrise having a dig at Football (Soccer) or talking up Adelaide is he being a cheerleader or setting an Agenda? I can’t tell can you? How about Ben Buckley (we all know him in Football) in case you weren’t aware he is an executive Director at Foxtel, that oversees Sports Content, AND just happens to be the President of North Melbourne who did he replace, oh that’s right James Brayshaw, sports commentator and former President of North Melbourne So I guess I am just curious, with at least 3 current AFL presidents and 1 former all involved in sports media why don’t you think the same for AFL? If you have made such a comment about AFL please correct me, I’d be happy to acknowledge it, if not, again I ask why do you spend so much time on a football tab when clearly you do not have an interest in the game?
reuster75
Roar Rookie
Foz having an agenda is fine as he has always been transparent about what that is and thus people can decide if they agree with it or not. The reason that FFA have zero trust is no-one knows what their agenda is. Half the new board were on the old board and very few of the candidates in the last election outlined anything about why they wanted to be on the board or any vision for the game.
reuster75
Roar Rookie
Maybe we could hold a football version of a truth and reconciliation commission. Get everyone who has an axe to grind together in one room, let them all air their grievances, and once done we can move on. People would be told that from now on that if even a whisper of them still nursing that grudge reaches the FFA's ears that person will be barred permanently from holding any official position within the game. This is especially true of journalists who seem more interested in throwing temper tantrums instead of trying to find the truth (hello Ray Gatt).
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
#Midfielder "The Mariners, Roar & Nix stand out as teams where the owners have largely lost the trust of their fans" That will happen I suppose - some fans (of any sport) are fickle and turn on the coaches and players quite quickly. I do though ponder the private ownership model in Australia - - a lot of fans who might be doing it tough themselves - - it's one thing to be invested in their community club but quite different to be helping prop up a privately owned entity that they are becoming disillusioned with. While such ownership models are common in the soccer world - in Australia there was arguably a somewhat unique heritage of community sport that adds to the uniqueness of this market.
Mike Tuckerman
Expert
Excellent discussion.
Waz
Roar Rookie
I’m afraid I find this situation just plane wrong Mid.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
https://www.instagram.com/p/BREi7IoB3F_/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_video_watch_again
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Essentially they are if the relationship works the best of their youth team they want to get ready for the first team by giving them regular first team places. They have been on the coast for a few days now and those who have gone to training to watch them say they are light years better than what we have... that may not be much however from what people who have seen them train say is they are better than many in the A-League.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
so are they Champion's League players? not just from CL clubs? I'm surprised they'd take the pay cut if they're playing champions league.
Nemesis
Guest
Of course there are clauses in EPL contracts that allow the player to walk away if the club gets relegated. That's just basic common sense. IF the ALeague is operated independently & the Salary Cap is removed - or more importantly the Salary Floor is removed - then the PFA has no input. The PFA can set the minimum player wage if it wants - not a problem. Just have a Bonus Payment for playing in Division 1. This is stock standard practice in the business world in jobs where performance is linked heavily to revenue - a basic wage is paid & a bonus is added if the employee meets certain hurdles, or share price hits certain levels.
AR
Guest
“The new Board need some time to formalise their vision, put a plan in place, and execute it quickly.” *That’s* the “voice of fear”..? My word chris. You do frighten easily.
Nick Symonds
Guest
West Melbourne Group still haven't signed a deal to use Kardinia Park. They don't look very organised, if they they don't get off to a good start people will start asking questions about the decision by FFA to give them a license to enter before SWS-Macarthur. - ESPN: Kardinia Park waiting on A-League deal "New A-League addition Western Melbourne Group are no closer to a deal on where to play their home games from October. And GMHBA Stadium (Kardinia) boss Michael Brown has warned the ambitious franchise they're unlikely to be able to accommodate all their home fixtures next season." - http://www.espn.com.au/football/story/_/id/25889848/kardinia-park-waiting-league-deal
Maximus Insight
Guest
It is not an "ALT-Fact" it is a very (very) basic property of risk / uncertainty. In your example you have essentially assumed that the entirety of the risk of relegation will sit with the players. Better tell that to the PFA! The example I gave was a training and administration facility. But the same principle applies to employment contracts - playing and non-playing. It also applies to every other commercial arrangement. Why do you think parachute payments exist? Surely all the english clubs should just structure their contracts in a way that allocates the entirety of the risk of relegation on to the other parties?
Waz
Roar Rookie
Thankfully no ...
Nemesis
Guest
"Pro / Rel = inevitable cost increases due to a lack of certainty" Nonsense. ALT-Fact. If player contracts are structured to include a "walk away" clause for Relegation; or alternatively, have a base wage that is the wage the club would pay the player in Div2, with "bonus payment" for playing in Div1, there will be no extra costs with relegation. Revenue will decline. So will expenses, given the player wages are the likely biggest expense.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
nay mighty Mariners...
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Our youth players don't play in the English 2 Division.
Waz
Roar Rookie
Why are Mariners signing youth players from Europe .... what’s wrong with your own youth development??