Chance for chiefs to secure game’s future: don’t get it wrong

Just get it done. Please.

No more ifs and buts. No more backtracking. And definitely no more last-minute dramas.

Those entrusted with the running of the sport in this country need to think about the future for once and not about the self-interests and power trips that have blighted Australian soccer and turned this game into an embarrassment for the past three years.

Surely, that’s not too much to ask of those who will assemble tomorrow to vote on the reform of Football Federation Australia’s constitution that will, hopefully and finally, set the sport on a course of solidarity, stability and prosperity that has been missing for too long.

Barring any last-minute backflips, the nine-member federations, 10 A-League clubs and Professional Footballers Australia have agreed to back a number of resolutions plus key amendments that will be tabled at a meeting at midday.

The resolutions were put together by the FIFA-backed Congress Review Working Group and include independence for the A-League and a change to the unfair voting structure of FFA’s congress.

Those changes, however, have been stymied by infighting and the insecure political machinations of Australian soccer. Under chairman Steven Lowy, FFA has been against the reform, claiming it gives too much power to the A-League clubs and leaves the grassroots vulnerable.

It had support from a number of member federations, Capital Football, the Northern Territory, Northern NSW and Tasmania, which meant Lowy needed just three of the four to stay onside to see the reforms torpedoed.

But following a number of 11th-hour meetings, all parties signed an agreement to vote for the reforms to go ahead but with some amendments.

Pivotal among the amendments is the decision to now add all the states and territory members to a working group that will look at a new model for the A-League once all the reforms are passed.

But, such is the way of the governance of soccer in this country, the true believers will be holding their collective breath that there are no last-minute hitches.

The Lowy family is not renowned for giving in without a fight and it is understood there have been desperate attempts in the past 24 hours to get some of the states to back away from the agreement.

We have seen it before.

Consensus among the stakeholders was reached regarding changes to FFA’s voting structure twice during a FIFA and AFC officials’ visit to Sydney about 18 months ago only for it all to fall apart after for some last-minute manoeuvring from FFA.

Understandably, those backing the reforms, notably the A-League clubs, Football NSW and Football Federation Victoria, will be nervous. They know the political beast that is Australian soccer.

Surely, however, there is no turning back this time. It is incumbent on those involved in the running of the sport to make the right decisions.

And it is incumbent on the A-League clubs, in particular, that, if and when the resolutions are passed, they ensure the grassroots sector of the game is looked after financially.

And what of Steven Lowy, who was parachuted into the chairmanship after his father, Frank, stepped down?

He has already decided to walk away from the role at FFA’s AGM next month, citing “football politics” as his reason. Barring any last-minute machinations that would again send the reform process off the rails, it will be the end of the Lowy family’s involvement in Australian soccer.

Unfortunately, Australian soccer history won’t look too kindly on Steven. “Divisive” is one word fans around the country have used to describe his leadership. Right or wrong, he was also viewed as his father’s mouthpiece. Frank’s shadow was supposedly always in the background.

But, it didn’t have to end this way and you have to feel some sympathy, even sadness, for him as he seems a genuinely good man.