Melbourne Victory Chairman, Anthony Di Pietro, makes the following statements in light of the ongoing media commentary relating to the Gold Coast United license being revoked and the creation of the Football Australia entity by Clive Palmer;
Melbourne Victory Chairman, Anthony Di Pietro, makes the following statements in light of the ongoing media commentary relating to the Gold Coast United license being revoked and the creation of the Football Australia entity by Clive Palmer;
“The establishment of a separate football body and the airing of club matters, that should be managed privately, are divisive and counter-productive to the growth, development and future of football in Australia.”
“Like all football clubs and their governing bodies, there are some areas that we expect the FFA to improve, but from ongoing discussions, as well as a recent meeting with FFA Chairman, Frank Lowy and key members of the FFA Board, we are buoyed by their plans and want to see them carried out. These plans include the critical negotiations for a new TV rights deal which will underpin the financial sustainability of the clubs and the competition, establishment of more streamlined elite youth development pathways and the ongoing growth of grass roots participation.”
“It is important for clubs to both support and challenge the governing body. But the reality is, the pathway forwards is under the FFA governance, which we strongly support and we will continue to work together with all clubs.”
“The positives from this season are being overshadowed through this by-play. The metrics are clear – crowds, broadcast ratings and media ratings are all up, right across the country. We have leading players coming back to the A-League, like Kewell and Emerton, and more young homegrown players are being snapped up by big international clubs, reinforcing that the game has never been in a more healthy position. These facts will certainly assist in the execution of the FFA-s plans.”
“We, along with all clubs, have made an investment in the code and we have to protect our members, shareholders, sponsors and fans. We will keep challenging the FFA to grow the game, create best-practice governance and really compete with the other football codes, but the only way forward is together.”
