Government ‘meddling’ in FFA draws FIFA response

World Governing body FIFA says it is ‘closely monitoring’ the civil war that is threatening to tear Australian soccer apart.

Sport Australia CEO Kate Palmer.

World governing body FIFA says it is “closely monitoring” the civil war that is threatening to tear Australian soccer apart.

The response comes in the wake of reports that Sport Australia, an arm of the federal government, had become involved in the controversy surrounding the long-running governance issues in the local game.

As revealed by The Australian on Friday, Sport Australia chief executive Kate Palmer recently wrote to FFA’s membership — nine federations and A-League clubs — expressing concerns over a number of recommendations made by the Congress Review Working Group.

Palmer wrote: “It is the view of Sport Australia, that there are a number of recommendations in the (CRWG) report that do not meet Sport Australia’s Sports Governance Principles. A full implementation of the recommendations in the report would be of concern to Sport Australia.

“Most sports within Australia operate within a federated governance model. A key pillar of this model is equality, and the fact that all members have an equal influence on the sport on important issues such as constitutional changes.”

The CRWG has called for significant changes to FFA’s voting congress as well as independence for the A-League — recommendations that have been fiercely contested by FFA and its supporters.

Palmer’s letter has been viewed as an attempt to influence the process for change — a situation frowned upon by FIFA, which does not take kindly to any government interference in the running of the sport at any level.

In a statement issued to The Australian, FIFA said: “We are closely monitoring the ongoing process (in Australia). We have no further comment at this stage.”

It is very clear where FIFA stands on government interference, being it direct or indirect. Under FIFA statues 15 and 19: “Member associations must comply with certain provision, including to be neutral in matters of politics and religion, to be independent and avoid any form of political interference and each member association shall manage its affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties.”

If FIFA finds that there has been government interference it would likely take serious action by way of sacking the current FFA board and installing a normalisation committee or suspending FFA, which would have serious consequences for the Socceroos and Matildas.

The world body recently intervened in Uruguay, putting in a normalisation committee until February following a number of issues involving Uruguay’s Football Association and the government.