Nothing would have saved Tasmania’s A-League bid, proponents say

PROPONENTS say a brand-new, purpose-built, world-class rectangular stadium would not have resulted in Tasmania making it to the FFA’s shortlist for A-League expansion.

The A-League has excluded Tasmania from its current expansion plans.

A NEW, purpose-built, world-class rectangular stadium would not have resulted in FC Tasmania’s bid making it to the FFA’s shortlist for A-League expansion, proponents believe.

On Friday, FFA cut the list from 15 to 10 for the two expansion spots, and Tasmania missed out. Of the 10 on the short list, four were from NSW, three from Victoria, two from Queensland and one from Canberra.

Some believe the lack of a rectangular stadium was a reason, but consortium spokeswoman Victoria Morton does not believe this is the case.

“Yes it would be wonderful and I’m sure it would help immensely, but I don’t believe that it made a huge difference,” Morton said.

“I don’t think it mattered how good our bid was, they were never going to look at us seriously unfortunately.

“It was all about expanding on the mainland and we’ve always­ been told Foxtel wanted it that way so maybe it was more about money and less about football than it should be.

“We didn’t really get an exact explanation, but if you look at what they have said the entire time they would fish where the fish are — expansion in the big cities.

“To be fair to FFA they have stuck to their word.”

Aerial view of the Sydney Olympic Stadium at Homebush with a soccer match in progress.

Morton said she had been in contact with the bid’s backer, Melbourne millionaire Harry Stamoulis, with a guarantee that he was committed to the cause as FFA has said there would be further expansion in the future.

“We haven’t given up, we are going to keep fighting for the cause and Harry Stamoulis is not going away or going to another bid, he’s committed to Tasmania and that’s brilliant for us,” she said.

“We haven’t given up hope, that’s for sure, and we will continue to push the cause for Tasmania and the kids of Tasmania so they get a fair go.”

There is still the prospect of a lot of change on the domestic football front.

The future and governance of FFA is expected to be known by October, while Football Federation Tasmania will meet with FFA and other member foundations on July 26 to discuss the creation of the B-League, a second-tier competition under the A-League.

“The exciting thing for Tasmania is if we had one of each,” Morton said. “There is a lot of water under the bridge before we give up hope.”