Brisbane Roar Football Club settles its debt with the ATO, but wind-up matter still on foot

There’s been a new development in the tax office’s attempt to wind up the Brisbane Roar Football Club – but it’s not the end of the matter.

Brisbane Roar chairman/CEO Kaz Patafta and chief operations officer Zac Anderson. Picture: Brisbane Roar

Brisbane Roar Football Club has settled its $1.5m debt with the Australian Taxation Office, but is still facing wind-up action in the Federal Court.

After saying since May finalisation of the debt was “imminent”, the club have finally put it to bed.

However, the wind-up action is still live in the courts as the recruitment firm that headhunted the club’s senior executives, pursues the Roar for allegedly unpaid fees.

The case is scheduled for remote hearing on July 25.

Michael Pulford, founder of Gold Coast recruitment firm Trend Personnel, claims he facilitated the 2023 appointment of both CEO Kaz Patafta and COO Zac Anderson – but the club has refused to pay his invoice.

Trend Personnel joined the Federal Court wind-up as a supporting creditor and is also chasing the alleged debt in the Brisbane Magistrates Court.

Mr Pulford confirmed his company intended to stay on as a creditor in the case.

He earlier described the Roar’s business practices as “totally unacceptable”.

“I’m a one-man business and it’s absolutely disgraceful that a sporting organisation of their standing doesn’t pay for services provided,” he said.

“I’ve never had this issue in 30 years in recruitment – you facilitate someone getting their dream job and you get screwed.”

Adam Zimarino of the Roar looks dejected after his team loses the round 11 A-League Men match between Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets at Suncorp Stadium, on January 07, 2025.

Trend Personnel is seeking $80,000 in damages in the magistrates court case.

The tax office launched wind-up proceedings against BRFC in May, with Mr Patafta saying at the time it involved “historical debt” that the club planned “to resolve imminently”.

In a statement earlier this month, Mr Patafta said settling the matter had “taken longer than expected due to the historical debt accruing under the previous management team at the club, and we are pleased it is about to be behind us”.

“I want to sincerely thank our loyal members and fans who continue to stand by the club,” he said. “As we turn the page, the focus is firmly on the upcoming season.”

News Corp Australia has contacted Roar and the ATO for comment.

Originally published as Brisbane Roar Football Club settles its debt with the ATO, but wind-up matter still on foot