John Didulica’s recent comments in regards to the A-League salary cap and his view that it lies at the cornerstone of a broken system of equalisation were interesting.
Not in the least due to the fact that his belief is commonly held and that the cap’s removal is seen as a necessary step for the league, but also considering what might become of the competition should the broken be fixed.
As chief executive of the Professional Footballers Association and with a glossy new report to support his words, Didulica’s positioning on the issue is important to note. Of course the head of the body would cite the 85 per cent of surveyed players and their support for the removal of the cap.
Why wouldn’t they support it? Just like you and I, they would like to earn a little more money. Human nature, really.
However, are they a little misguided in their belief that each and every player would benefit? The internal report cited the vast 47-point gap between first and last on the 2018-19 A-League table come season’s end.
It implied that a chasm exists between the clubs consistently battling for A-League glory and those making up the numbers, citing the 43 per cent of last season’s matches that featured a clear winner by two goals or more.
Some may argue that clubs will always rise and fall on the basis of recruitment, injury, luck and form. Perth Glory might be a case in point for those of that view, with their premier’s plate-winning season based around a new manager, a few shrewd recruitment decisions and a good old fashioned defensive steel that had been missing for some time.
Without a trophy in the A-League era, the Glory finally got things right and it took far more than money to do so.
Others take a more cynical view, using Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory as the haves in the discussion and others as the have-nots. Supporters of that hypothesis will cite the eight cumulative A-League championships shared between the two clubs and allude to something being quite rotten when it comes to parity in the league.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Whether Sydney and Victory have enjoyed such success through nothing more than efficient front offices, astute signings, quality coaching and development – and without a clear and inbuilt financial advantage – is somewhat debatable.
Fears that the removal of the cap would potentially enhance their power in the A-League market place are not unfounded.
There is no doubt that a loosening of the purse strings is something that the Victory and Sky Blues desire. The City Football Group would also no doubt be keen to invest whatever they deem necessary to bring a championship to Melbourne City. The Western Sydney Wanderers would also be fine, with Australia’s biggest city possessing more than enough resources to support two sizeable clubs, Macarthur pending.
Brisbane Roar enjoy the luxury of being a one-city team, as do Perth and Adelaide. However, the key question then becomes how the remaining A-League clubs cope with a potential change to the salary cap system and whether any fallout is desirable or sustainable.
The Central Coast Mariners, Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix survive on the back of the $3.2 million salary cap. Without it, they may not.
It is simplistic to say, “So what, that’s football”. However, any potential torpedoing of clubs could well turn the A-League into something of a farce in the eyes of the Australian public.
With a fully functioning system of promotion and relegation there would be no issue. Those clubs incapable of swimming with the big fish would simply assume their place in the second tier and attempt to build their way back.
And that is why A-League fans need to be very careful what they wish for, because there is no such system currently in place and the fluidity of movement we see in natural football attrition all around the globe could in fact prove quite destructive in Australia.
The scope for powerhouse teams to develop on the back of considerable financial investment undoubtedly exists and it does not necessarily damage the overall profitability and success of individual leagues when powerful clubs dominate. German, Italian, English and Spanish football are clear examples of that fact.
However, while the minnows grapple away on the bottom rungs, having their time in the sun and moments in the tempest, full participation at the top level is protected by a second tier. There is always a club on the rise, ready to take their place in the top league for at least for a year or two.
Australia does not enjoy that luxury just yet.
A craving for bigger signings, investment and an improved overall product would no doubt be met without a salary cap. A handful of clubs would jump for joy at the mere thought.
However, whether Australian football can afford to lose its safety net and accept what may or may not happen to other clubs is a vital question.
Pulling that lever and removing the cap could be a dangerous path to tread.
Glorious
Roar Rookie
I agree with Nemesis. And the same applies in Perth. Tony Sage is already publicly very unhappy at losing nearly $3M last season and would be highly unlikely to accrue more debt by providing matching offers to departed players. The key purpose of a salary cap is fiscal control - to stop clubs spending themselves out of existence. In mature football systems like England (92 professional clubs) it does not matter if attrition claims a few victims eg Bury. In small, immature and struggling football systems like Australia (12 clubs) losing clubs is a disaster for the game. Protectionist policies like the salary cap are needed until the game has matured.
Squizz
Guest
If you look at the history of the A League when the salary cap was truly in place rather than now when there are so many exemptions it did work as an equalisation measure. It is only recently with the virtual demolition of the salary cap that the big teams have pulled ahead. I'm not advocating or demonising the cap but it isn't working as an equalisation measure in its current form and it does not stop bigger clubs spending whatever they want for marquees, coaches or support staff.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Agree
Patrick
Guest
I think a few points are missing here. Whilst I see the validity of the cap - the cap along with the visa restrictions hinders the quality of the competition. Ie. we can't attract a better calibre of a "standard player" due to the accounting required to move players around the cap. As a result, we recycle rubbish Australian players in their 25s-30s who won't ever make the Socceroos but will of course only line their own pockets. Hence taking the playing positions of any youth quality. Which brings me to the youth - anyone who is quality and is young, we can keep and pay more. Because the main point I was alluding to that was missing is - if we take the cap away, we can't just think of it standalone. The abolishment of the cap requires full transfer fees internally and externally to balance the books. It then promotes the want to develop youth, and then sell them on should they be good. Rinse and repeat. That's how the quieter regions you mention will survive. Develop that Ajax model. Not only that - just because there is an abolishment of the cap - it doesn't mean everyone is going to go spend crazy. Owners will still want to stem their losses, and keep the asset as viable as possible for a future sale which results in a profit. So the smarter ones (yes not a perfect world) will balance it accordingly. I'd say where the cap is now is probably $1m short a year on an overall playing squad perspective.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
The Joeys meet Brazil in their final game today (Tuesday midnight Australian time). Streamed here according to the CBF (Brazil football federation) http://www.globoesporte.com
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Beach My bad, must be having an off day ... To your point pertaining to respect ..... its something we need to learn how to do if we plan to grow Football in Australia to its true potential... Met a new client last week and he is a hard core rusted on Roma fan ... so I said come along to some Mariner games and he laughed and said Australians don't know how to play Football... Interesting times ahead phase two of the evolution will be when we can learn to respect Hal..
Beach
Roar Rookie
There was nothing even approaching anger in my post, Mid. Quite the contrary… It was an argument for tolerance and respect for other posters, which Nemesis too often ignores. He does not, as you seem to imply, save his vitriol for AFlers in disguise. At no point did I question his knowledge of the the game. That was was not the issue I was addressing. I am surprised that you appear to have misstated my point so completely
The Ball Bobbled
Roar Rookie
I think a lot rests with the Socceroos and the Matildas
Fadida
Roar Rookie
It’s not just the AFL ers though is it. It’s anyone who doesn’t share his opinion.
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Broadcasters pay a fortune for the closed shop of the EPL etc
Fadida
Roar Rookie
Many would argue it's a joke in that it's equalised. Again, as Australians we are used to artificially equal competitions.
Nemesis
Guest
I think Foxtel might be bankrupt by the time the next A-League broadcast deal goes to tender. Or, if not bankrupt, it will be a totally different operating model to what we see now.
Kevin
Guest
Do you think fox will pay the same if they Know that only the top 3/4 teams of a ten team comp are decent and allow for x amount of competitive matches vs what in theory now should be a whole round of competitive matches ?
Nick Symonds
Guest
It's good to see Najarine and Najjar combing well as potential future socceroos. Likewise Valentino Yuel has scored his 4th goal in as many matches after coming from Bentleigh Greens. It's good to see talent coming up from the NPL.
Nick Symonds
Guest
At the very least they should be competitive. But if they can have a scuffle at a "friendly" match then what will the real derby be like? Could be a bit fiery.
scotty
Roar Rookie
you would need foreign ownership and investment of the clubs to work
Waz
Roar Rookie
Correct, Nemesis showing he’s not really on top of football matters nor able to have a rational discussion whenever Roar is mentioned lol.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
I truly hope they do well.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Well that's it then. United for the Premier's Plate. I tipped City to win the league so........naturally....
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Exactly what I was alluding to in the piece RKing. To remove the cap and kill off clubs without the support of a second tier is a dangerous path to tread.