FFA CEO David Gallop and chairman Steven Lowy have admitted FFA waited too long to condemn attacks on the game in mainstream media, including the publishing of the identities of 198 banned fans.
Mr Gallop and Mr Lowy confirmed what many supporters believed, that he and the FFA were too slow in standing up for them in the face of harsh scrutiny.
“We got it wrong,” Mr Gallop said.
“We should have come out earlier. The Sunday Telegraph article unfairly tarnished decent football people.
“There’s a moment where you think, will we breathe oxygen into the fire. We went into trying to find out how the document was leaked. But we should have said more, quicker.
“These issues have been fuelled in the community in the way FFA didn’t expect.
“We should have come out straight away, and we got it wrong.”
Meanwhile, Mr Lowy confirmed the governing body would address issues surrounding its much maligned appeals process, though its restructuring is unlikely to be finalised until February.
“Fans and active groups – all stakeholders – will be given a say into the review of the banning process,” Mr Lowy said.
“There are issues into how much evidence can be disclosed, because it’s given to use confidentially. But we need to look at transparency.
“If we can improve the system further, we will. It is sound and robust, but it is not perfect.
“David Gallop will tell the board we intend to review the ban process. We expect to be able to finalise it by next board meeting in February.”
Mr Gallop added that this review needs to advance quickly with mass boycotts looming in the A-League this weekend and beyond and that FFA would “hit the road” in an effort to gauge the fans’ views.
“We accept there it’s unlikely there will be active groups this weekend. We look to get this review moving as quickly as we can,” he said.
“We don’t take fans’ position in the game for granted. In the review process we will hit the road and get their views in person.”
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