FIFA green light for governance reforms

The overhaul Australian soccer is a step closer with the world governing body rubberstamping proposed reforms.

There will be no turning back for FFA chairman Steven Lowy

The overhaul of the governance of Australian soccer has moved a step closer with world governing body FIFA reported to have ­rubber-stamped the Congress Review Working Group recommendations.

It is understood the CRWG report was passed following a meeting of FIFA member associations in Zurich on Monday, clearing the way for its recommendations to be put to a Football Federation Australia extraordinary general meeting in Sydney on September 7.

The decision has all but ensured there will be no turning back for FFA chairman Steven Lowy, who announced last week that he would stand down from his position at an AGM in ­November because he “would not, under any circumstances, wish to serve in a governance structure where independence was compromised”.

The FIFA-instigated CRWG report recommended a number of changes to the governance of the game in this country, including a significant reshaping of the voting structure of the FFA congress which determines the make-up of FFA’s independent board. It also recommended that the A-League become independent of the head body in time for the 2019-20 season.

Lowy and FFA have been fighting against the proposed changes, arguing they will only serve the self-interest of the A-League clubs and their owners and that they will have serious consequences at a grassroots level.

Now that the recommendations have been cleared to be put to the EGM, it remains to be seen whether they will be passed.

Two member associations — the ACT and Northern Territory — have indicated they will back Lowy and FFA and vote against the recommendations while there are strong suggestions another two — Tasmania and Northern NSW — are considering their options.

It will need three of the 10 congress votes for the CRWG report to be torpedoed, which means NNSW and Tasmania’s roles will be critical.

It has been suggested Lowy’s announcement last week was a political manoeuvre designed to throw fear into some of the members and force those who might be wavering to vote against the recommendations for fear the game might lose the considerable influence of the Lowy family.

However, there is also the feeling he might have seen the writing on the wall ahead of FIFA’s meeting this week.

The world governing body has indicated it will intervene if the right outcome is not achieved on September 7. FIFA has constantly indicated it is prepared to suspend FFA if the changes are not made.

Suspension, which would see Australia banned from international competition, appears the most likely option. It would put the Socceroos’ defence of the Asian Cup in January in jeopardy and affect the Matildas’ World Cup qualifying campaign.