This Month
China’s Xi taps Australian coaches for global soccer power dream
The Asian nation has recruited overseas managers to try and fulfil an ambitious plan to turn the country into an association football powerhouse.
Albanese pitches tourism, sport to China as he seeks to rebuild trust
The prime minister is using cultural ties to mend relations as he hopes to revive the multibillion-dollar Chinese visitor market despite geopolitical friction.
November 2021
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter charged with fraud
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and ex-UEFA president Michel Platini have been charged with fraud over unlawfully arranging a payment of $2.94 million.
September 2021
Bulldogs, Sydney Olympic FC nix bailout speculation
The Canterbury Bulldogs boss says his club will not be stepping in to bail out the troubled soccer team that has reported losses for six straight years.
Greek authorities investigate ownership of Bill Papas’ Xanthi FC
Greece’s Committee for Professional Sports has set a hearing for next month “regarding the current ownership status” of Xanthi.
Sydney Olympic FC racks up more losses and debt
Sydney Olympic FC has continued to run up large losses and grow debt, putting the financial health of the club, where Bill Papas was president, in further doubt.
August 2021
Bill Papas’ grand vision that ended in tears
The Forum Group boss dreamed of becoming an entrepreneur in sustainability, energy and football. The failure of his vision has left many of his staff shattered.
Olympic-sized cracks emerge in US-Australia alliance
The Tokyo Games have allowed locked-down Australians to indulge in escapist sporting rivalries for a glorious fortnight – and we mourn their ending.
July 2021
Millions more owed by Sydney Olympic FC to directors’ companies
It was indebted to Forum Group for $2.18 million as of June 30, last year, and to Titan Cranes for a further $1.37 million.
Australia beat Argentina in stunning soccer upset
The Olyroos are celebrating a shock win over Argentina in their opening soccer match at the Tokyo Olympics.
Forum Group cloud raises questions over Sydney Olympic FC finances
Sydney Olympic FC’s financial health is under question as it emerges it owed $2.1 million to firms controlled by its directors, including Bill Papas’ Forum Group.
Brisbane looking for gold even before Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony
The future promise of Brisbane 2032 will quickly be eclipsed by present realities for athletes now in Tokyo as they focus on hurdles including rising COVID-19 numbers.
Whistleblower alerted Forum auditors to potential fraud
An internal whistleblower at the Forum Group of Companies emerged within two weeks of Westpac contacting Bill Papas about anomalies regarding a contract with corporate client WesTrac.
UEFA launches probe into violent English fans at Euro 2020
The English FA apologised for an ‘unprecedented level of public disorder’ after English fans forced their way into the stadium and created disturbances throughout the match.
On the trail of Bill Papas and Westpac’s missing $285m
Westpac is scrambling to find the man believed to be behind one of the most elaborate and costly frauds in the bank’s history.
Winning soccer European Championship boosts the country’s sharemarket
Of the past five tournament winners, Greece and Spain’s indices outperformed the pan-European STOXX 600 after their 2004, 2008 and 2012 wins.
England reborn as its footballers end half a century of hurt
It’s only sport, you might say. Only soccer. But the fate of the team is somehow inextricably bound up in the nation’s self-identity.
Missing Forum Finance boss went to Greece to cheer his team
Elusive football tycoon Bill Papas was in Greece supporting his team in a crucial match as Westpac was coming to terms with the alleged fraud involving his firm.
Whitlam witnessed China’s effort to kick off an end to its isolation
From the archives: As part of our Platinum 70 Year, we take a look back at opinions and reports from The Australian Financial Review on significant domestic and international events over the past seven decades.
June 2021
Soccer stars snub Coca-Cola, Heineken as ‘Bottlegate’ escalates
Two of the most popular soccer stars at the Euro 2020 championships have shown their disdain for alcohol and soft drink product placement.