Let’s be frank from the start, we’re in crisis.
It’s been 11 days since Rebecca Wilson put pen to paper and she’s opened a can of not just worms, but all sorts of ‘grubs’.
While it remains secretive as to who leaked the document, given the FFA have denied such an act, the fact is that the story has been floating around for months, cast off to different news outlets and the Daily Telegraph took the bait.
Wilson is no longer the issue. Of course, the means by which she and the Daily Telegraph went about publishing the names and faces (some incorrect) of 198 banned A-League fans was nothing short of unethical, but she has been the catalyst for 10-11 years of fan angst to erupt.
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Right in the firing line, the FFA.
You’d struggle to find any sporting governing body in the world that would belittle the fans as much as the FFA have.
The fans are not stupid either. They are the largest stakeholder in the game and the FFA have horribly failed to recognise this, not just now, but over the course of 11 years of the A-League.
Damien De Bohun and David Gallop have both made botched public statements, full of contradiction, ignorance and oblivious as to what is actually going on.
“I’m heartened with the way football has united,” said an under-fire De Bohun.
“To the fans, use your energy in a positive way – let’s celebrate that wonderful atmosphere,” said an under-fire Gallop.
If that isn’t both ignorant and oblivious, then I don’t know what is.
What is equally ignorant is the deafening silence of newly appointed FFA chairman Steven Lowy.
‘Where the bloody hell are you Steven?’ Now, I am talking directly to you.
If there was ever a time to put criticism of how you obtained the chairmanship to rest, now would be it. Make an impression and get your tenure off on a positive note.
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It’s pretty obvious that you’re in the job because of your father, despite the constant rhetoric of how ‘an exhaustive worldwide search’ was undertaken.
Little more than two weeks has passed since you were appointed and already you’ve been summoned to “leash your pack animals” by Wilson.
Attention: Steven Lowy pic.twitter.com/icWvLzxSxX
— Outside90 (@Outside90) December 1, 2015
Think of these ‘pack animals’ as your children Mr Lowy. The sooner you come to this realisation, the better.
The fans are the heartbeat of football in this country, and for too long they have been ignored. This is the final straw, before it’s conceivably possible you may lose them.
The Cove and the RBB have already announced their boycott of their matches this weekend, the North Terrace has encouraged travelling Melbourne Victory fans to New Zealand to refrain from chanting to mirror the silence by the FFA. You’d expect more active fan groups to follow suit.
It’s possible that in two weeks time, we could have a silent Melbourne Derby, with fans from both teams boycotting the match if their demands are not met.
That’s a new low we cannot drop to, but one that may be necessary.
Speak up now Steven, the game desperately needs a leader.
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