Dozens of Victorian soccer clubs settle debts with Football Victoria

Dozens of soccer clubs statewide have avoided being expelled from their leagues after settling debts with Football Victoria, but many accuse the governing body of financial mismanagement.

Many clubs are still accusing Football Victoria of financial mismanagement. Picture: Getty Images

Dozens of Victorian soccer clubs have dodged expulsion from the league after settling debts with the regulating body.

However, some clubs are still accusing Football Victoria (FV) of financial mismanagement.

FV confirmed in February that all local clubs had met the minimum requirements to play in the season 2024, giving players and parents peace of mind that their clubs will not be struck off mid season.

It comes after FV issued an urgent notice in November warning that 40 clubs had tallied up a combined record high of nearly $2m in debts and were at risk of being kicked out of the league.

In a statement released to the Herald Sun, an FV spokesman said all clubs were now paid up, which meant “players, parents and guardians could be confident that any registration fees paid would ensure their ability to participate”.

However, they would not reveal how many clubs had been forced on to payment plans to participate in the season.

Clubs told the Herald Sun there was growing anger toward the Victorian governing body with some members accusing FV of financial mismanagement, bad governance and underhanded tactics.

Clubs have told the Herald Sun there is anger towards Football Victoria.

Several complaints have been made to Football Australia, about FV, about the bodies financial position, governance, and resolution passed at the FV Special General Meeting, held in December.

In response to questions about the concerns Football Australia confirmed that the resolutions had still not been ticked off four months on, and that the concerns were being worked through with FV.

“Football Australia is committed to upholding the highest standards of governance,” a spokesman said.

“We are currently engaged in discussions with Football Victoria regarding these matters. As the process is ongoing, Football Australia is unable to provide public comments at this time.”

The FV spokesman said the outcomes of the meeting were “positively received and overwhelmingly endorsed by Football Victoria’s (FV) voting members and the wider football community”.

“Football Australia’s Board is now undertaking its process to formalise these outcomes, after which FV will action these powerful changes — including new equity policies and wider club voting rights — for our game.”

Originally published as Dozens of Victorian soccer clubs settle debts with Football Victoria