Adelaide City wants to know why it was targeted over contract issues and handed record penalty by FFSA

FFSA on Sunday smacked City with the loss of its 2017 premiership, a $42,000 fine and docked it six points for the 2019 NPL season. The club wants to know why it was targeted.

Adelaide City's NPL squad celebrating its 2017 premiership win at Adelaide City Park.

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Adelaide City president Dino D’Ottavi has called for an independent review of FFSA operations after the club was handed the heaviest sanctions in SA soccer history.

FFSA on Sunday smacked City with the loss of its 2017 premiership, told to pay FFSA $42,000 and docked six points with six points suspended for the 2019 NPL season.

D’Ottavi said he was mystified by Football Federation SA’s confrontational approach when the club sought help on players’ contracts.

“All the clubs need to be consulted in any review, after all the FFSA is essentially there to run and manage the competition on behalf of the players and other stake holders,’’ D’Ottavi said.

The club also has a six point suspended penalty in 2020.

Adelaide City president Dino D'Ottavi.

FFSA found the club had reimbursed a total of nine amateur contracted players more than $8000 a year each in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. The maximum amount payable to amateur players appears to be vague and open to interpretation.

FFSA’s self-appointed disciplinary committee also declared one professional contracted player was paid more than stipulated.

It’s understood the FFSA investigation was launched after City sought clarification over a letter of intent that a now former player had signed for the 2019 season.

That player telling the club he had reneged on his agreement and wanted to move to another NPL club was the catalyst to City seeking clarity.

The FFSA then ruled that the letter of intent contravened amateur player regulations despite the fact that the letter of intent made no mention of amateur or professional status.

City claims decisions over the type of contract players are offered are often made later into the preseason.

City is the only club that has been under the players’ contract microscope this year and in recent times.

City's legal fees could be more than $30,000 after club officials ensured their interests were protected given the confusing nature of the FFSA contract regulations.

D'Ottavi says requesting assistance and clarification from the FFSA on player contracts could have seen the club expelled from all competitions.

“FFSA has punished the club over practices which the club believes are common practice in the game because of confusion surrounding the interpretation of the competition rules in particular section 7 (of the FFSA competition operating regulations) ,’’ D’Ottavi said.

“Adelaide City has not breached the $150,000 salary cap nor is it over the 200 player points system maximum.

“If FFSA want to enforce the regulations in 2019, they need an education program so that all clubs understand how they are going to interpret the playing rules and then we will all know where we stand.

“The FFSA board and management need to focus on players and clubs.

“We are not the English Premier League, our clubs are run by volunteers and most players play for the fun of the game and the reward of winning with payments reimbursing the expenses of playing and training.”

D’Ottavi said City had to also vehemently defend its reputation when a radio station allowed a caller to air claiming the club had fraudulently altered players contracts.

D’Ottavi says that statement was false.

“We categorically deny those claims, if the radio station has proof, we would like to see it,’’ he said.

“Broadcasting completely erroneous and unsubstantiated claims are not good for our game.

“We have accepted the penalties levied against the club to enable us to move forward.

“I think it has provided us with some lessons on how to deal with the FFSA and the processes we need to put in place within our club.”

Clarification

In December last year and January this year, The Advertiser published articles about sanctions imposed upon Adelaide City Football Club by Football Federation SA.

These sanctions were for several contract breaches, related to agreements outside what the national registration rules and FFSA's regulations allowed. They were not for “incorrect wording” or “voluntarily asking for contract clarification”.

The penalty of $42,500 comprised a total of $10,000 in fines and another $32,500, which was a repayment of prize money.

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