Avondale FC hit with heavy sanctions after Football Victoria investigation
A top-flight Melbourne suburban soccer club has been hit with heavy sanctions, including $55,000 in penalties, after being found guilty of player payment breaches.
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A top-flight suburban soccer club has been docked $55,000 after being found guilty of player payment breaches.
Avondale FC was hit with a $25,000 fine, must return $30,000 in prizemoney and will start the 2020 season on minus 3 competition points.
The sanctions come after a Football Victoria investigation into allegations the club “breached conditions of its licence”.
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It is understood those breaches involved player payment irregularities over the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
The Australian Tax Office could not confirm if there were ongoing investigations into undeclared payments.
Avondale admitted to breaches during the investigation and said it had made changes to ensure there would be no repeat.
“The club has co-operated with Football Victoria in its investigation and welcomes the widespread investigation into player contracts not just in the NPL but also in the state leagues,” a club statement read.
“We have corrected our procedures and look forward to the 2020 season.”
The club reached the National Premier League Victoria grand finals in both 2018 and 2019 and the FFA Cup quarter-finals in 2018.
However, further sanctions imposed saw 18 competition points stripped from both seasons.
A $25,000 fine and 18-point penalty were suspended for 2020.
In 2018, South Australian club Adelaide City was hit with heavy sanctions after being found guilty of player payment breaches.
The former National Soccer League heavyweight was stripped of its 2017 NPLSA premiership, fined $32,000 and docked 54 competition points.
Football Victoria said in a statement it took such breaches seriously and would increase club audits and spot checks.
“In light of these findings, FV strongly advises all clubs to conduct an internal audit of their own compliance with their NPL Licences,” it read.
“FV will continue proactive audits of all clubs and their NPL license compliance, including spot checks through the season.
“FV takes breaches of NPL Licences very seriously and reserves its right to levy penalties in excess of the above for any future licence breaches.”
The sanctions were handed down on Wednesday night, the day before Avondale was due to kick off the new season against Oakleigh.