Bozza: Resolve independent A-League or risk losing FFA Cup

One of the most prominent people in Australian football, Mark Bosnich, has pleaded with powerbrokers to resolve the stalemate rocking the game or risk losing one of its showpiece tournaments.

Adelaide United players celebrate after winning the FFA Cup. Picture: AAP

The future of the FFA Cup is in grave danger unless Australian chiefs resolve the A-League governance impasse, warned Fox Sports football’s highest profile figure.

Mark Bosnich has implored the game’s powerbrokers to agree on an independent A-League model ahead of the June 30 deadline, with clubs, state federations and FFA at loggerheads.

The original Melbourne derby headlines the final round of Victorian-based FFA Cup qualifiers, with Melbourne Knights hosting former National Soccer League rivals South Melbourne on Wednesday night. Bulleen-St Albans, Altona Magic-Moreland Zebras and Hume City-Oakleigh are the remaining ties.

The four winners of the Dockerty Cup seventh round — Victoria’s Cup competition which morphs into FFA Cup qualifying — will qualify for the national Round of 32, where A-League clubs enter.

Tim Cahill and Mark Bosnich at the announcement of the six year deal with Fox Sports worth 346 million dollars in December, 2016. Picture: Getty

Bosnich, who recently urged the state federations to stop procrastinating, declared that the clock was ticking for the game and warned that the FFA Cup — which has shone a spotlight on the state league clubs — could die.

“The FFA Cup is magnificent and shows what can be achieved when everybody’s united. If things aren’t sorted out at the top, there may not be an FFA Cup in future,’’ Bosnich said.

“The major changes - independent A-League and establishing an open system (second division) - are all still up in the air.

“There needed to be an independent A-League.

“We need to think 3-4 years ahead. We can’t keep going like this, otherwise there will be no cake to squabble over.”

The FFA Cup has been a huge success since introduced in 2014. Melbourne City’s 2016 win remains the only piece of men’s silverware the club has won. Picture: Getty Images

Bosnich fired a broadside at the states at the end of the A-League season.

“(Fox Sports) have invested over half-a-billion dollars, the clubs have invested over $350,000,000 (million). These federations have got to be honest enough and say they have invested very, very little,” Bosnich said on Fox Sports' A-League Round Table.

“I’ll say to all those member federations … if I can’t appeal to your goodwill in the sense of doing something right, I’ll say this. If this procrastination results in loss of revenue from the clubs then you will be held accountable.

“There’s four years left on that TV deal and we’re very lucky to have Fox Sports but luck can always run out.

“The Fox TV and Channel 10 ratings have fallen off the cliff the last two years. The way things are going right now is unsustainable. Time[s not on our side.

“If the A-League goes then the whole thing will go back to being part-time. Unless that’s what they want.”

* The FFA Cup starts in July and will be televised exclusively on Fox Sports