Independent A-League a long way off, says David Gallop

FFA boss David Gallop has declared the formation of an independently run A-League any time soon as “way off the mark”.

FFA boss David Gallop at Socceroos training this week with Ange Postecoglou and FFA chairman Steven Lowy. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop has declared the formation of an independently run A-League any time soon as “way off the mark” following a meeting with club owners and chairmen yesterday.

The clubs put forward a raft of proposals during a meeting in Melbourne, including that clubs be granted a greater say in the running of the competition as well as an increased share of the revenue generated by it. According to FFA, “it was also agreed that an economically sustainable expansion of the A-League is a strategic priority”.

The clubs had been agitating for an independent commission to run the league and recently asked FFA to put it on the agenda at yesterday’s meeting.

However, it is understood the matter was left in abeyance though the clubs will continue to push for greater representation via the membership voting system given the A-League reportedly generates as much as 80 per cent of FFA’s total revenue.

At present, the clubs get one vote out of 10 and are believed to be seeking as many as three.

The owners and FFA have rarely seen eye-to-eye over the past few years, but there seems to be a softening in the relationship following yesterday’s meeting.

“It was timely to meet the clubs today,” Gallop said in a statement issued late yesterday. “There is a great momentum and excitement around the game at the moment and it is important that we work together to ensure the game’s operating model evolves and takes advantage of the opportunities ahead of it.

“The suggestion that a breakaway from the FFA is imminent is off the mark. The recent FIFA/Asian Football Confederation visit has seen an in-principle agreement to make some changes and FFA is committed to work collaboratively with all the game’s stakeholders to reach a model that meets the game’s future needs.”

It remains unclear whether the steps taken by FFA will be compliant with FIFA’s statutes.

A FIFA committee met three days ago to discuss what eventuated from the recent visit but no decision is expected until the new year. In seeking increased voting rights, the clubs were buoyed by their meeting with the FIFA/AFC delegation, which also spoke to other stakeholders regarding FFA’s constitution.

FIFA wants FFA to bring its constitution in line with the statutes followed by almost every one of the world governing body’s members. Gallop said representatives of the clubs and FFA would “continue to work together on the optimal commercial model for the next phase of growth of the A-League”.

Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin, who also chairs the recently formed Australian Professional Football Clubs Association, described yesterday’s meeting as “collaborative and productive”.

The clubs are united and are starting to make significant progress with FFA in their push for a greater input into the running of the A-League. In terms of A-League expansion, it appears likely to increase from 10 clubs to 12 sooner rather than later.

While FFA would like to ­introduce a second division and promotion and relegation of clubs eventually, it can’t move until the competition has been extended.

FFA said the two parties agreed that continued dialogue on the best operating model for the A-League and the broader game should continue in coming months.