The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Why can’t the FFA come clean?

Autoplay in... 6 (Cancel)
Up Next No more videos! Playlist is empty -
Replay
Cancel
Next
Roar Pro
12th February, 2019
15

Why can’t the FFA come clean?

I have never met Alen Stajcic and not seen his contract with the FFA.

What is culture?
I have just been one of the bemused spectators reading about how the FFA terminated his contract to coach the Matildas because of “problems with the culture of the team.” What does this mean? In cricket, it apparently meant cheating, sledging and arrogance.

In women’s football, it could mean anything from sexual harassment to bullying to favouring or not favouring certain players or any other form of discrimination.

The problem is we don’t know! The FFA won’t tell us and apparently, Mr Stajcic claims he has no idea. David Gallop was given the unenviable task of fronting a press conference only to say that his contract had been terminated. When asked why, he said I can’t tell you. It wouldn’t be fair to the people involved.

What a shemozzle! Poor David hung out to dry and made to look stupid or devious.

I have read 1984 and cringed when the dictatorial state controlled the population and ordered them to do whatever it deemed fit. I thought we lived in a democracy where we have rules of governance and freedom of the press. This has all gone out of the window.

What is wrong is that sporting not-for-profit organisations seem to be behaving in a dictatorial way and breaching a contract blatantly by saying to Mr Stajcic, “We don’t want you anymore because of a cultural issue”. Please!

Advertisement

Mr Stajcic has a legal team now, but he is holding fire. Why? Is he trying to get the FFA to pay him out in full plus damages? He says his reputation is ruined. Although it is certainly questioned at this time, nothing has been alleged to ruin his fine CV.

Sports opinion delivered daily 

   

The FFA complained that in the Steven Lowy era things got done in a non-democratic way. It is hard to believe that they would have handled this mess this way?

The solution
Be honest, tell us poor suckers what Alen did wrong and give him an opportunity to give his side of the story. I may agree with FFA or Alen, but now I am just fed up with being told nothing and told to accept it. No, I won’t!

The problem
The directors of any corporation have fiduciary duties to act honestly and in the best interest of the company. If they don’t, there may be a question of their liability. They should immediately resolve to disclosure the facts and circumstances that led to the current situation. If this means that an official has to take the heat instead of poor David, they should do so.

I have followed the Matildas for the last two years and have marvelled at one of our very best sporting teams. The FFA have decided just before the World Cup to uproot the team and introduce a new coach.

Advertisement

When has that ever worked? I am embarrassed and want the truth and fair play, otherwise, I want his legal team to press the “go” button and see them in court. It will serve them right.

close