A-League clubs win fight for voting rights on FFA

A-League clubs will have a greater say in the running of the sport after FIFA backed their push for FFA reforms.

FFA chairman Steven Lowy, left, speaks with FFA CEO David Gallop. Picture: AAP

A-League clubs will have a greater say in the running of the sport after FIFA reaffirmed their position regarding proposed reforms to Football Federation Australia’s constitution that will bring it into line with the rest of the world’s football community.

In a body blow for the organisation, FFA confirmed yesterday that it will go ahead with the process of implementing the changes through an extraordinary general meeting of stakeholders to be held by the end of March.

It will be preceded, however, by what is likely to be a fiery meeting between FFA and the owners of the 10 A-League clubs on Valentine’s Day, February 14.

The move comes after an FFA delegation consisting of chairman Steven Lowy, chief executive David Gallop and two staff members made a trip to speak with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in Zurich this week in a bid to have the reforms delayed.

FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation have been pushing FFA for at least seven years to make critical changes to its governance structure so that more stakeholders can have a say in the election process for the FFA board.

Under the current set-up, FFA provides for 10 votes — the nine state and territory federations plus one vote covering all 10 A-League clubs. A new structure will allow for a greater say, with the clubs getting an extra vote or two, while the women’s game, players, ref­erees and other sections will get also get a vote.

There had been particular concern from the world governing body and the AFC over Steven Lowy’s ascension to the chairmanship of FFA in 2015, when he was unopposed in replacing his ­father Frank. The matter came to a head late last year when The Australian revealed that a delegation from FIFA and the AFC visited Australia to hold discussions with a number of stakeholders over their concerns regarding the delay in implementing the reforms.

Following the meetings, the A-League clubs claim FFA twice committed to making the changes. The A-League clubs were then staggered when it was revealed Lowy and Gallop were travelling to Zurich this week in an attempt to have the changes scuttled.

While the FFA delegation is understood to have held brief discussions with Infantino, much of their time was taken up in a meeting with the FIFA delegates who visited Sydney last year. In the end, FIFA held firm on its decision.

FFA described this week’s meeting as constructive and will now initiate meetings with its stakeholders. “FFA and FIFA held constructive discussions regarding the process of expanding the membership of its congress in Australia which would allow for a broader representation of stakeholders,” FFA said in a statement.

“FFA indicated its intention to hold further discussions with stakeholders (including member federations, Hyundai A-League clubs and the PFA) in coming weeks with a view to implementing membership changes through an extraordinary general meeting of its members by the end of March.

“An EGM will need to be held in order that the existing members can consider a special resolution to amend FFA’s constitution based on the outcome of the stakeholders consultation process. As part of this process FFA will continue its discussions with FIFA and AFC.”

Lowy said the meeting with FIFA “was a further reminder of the goodwill and respect that exists between FIFA and FFA”.

“We came away confident that we will be able to move quickly to put in place some changes to our structure that will set the game up for further success in the years ahead,” Lowy said.