FFA Governance

A-League expansion

Newly minted Deputy Chair of FFA, Heather Reid, "may" have to excuse herself from consideration of the A-League expansion bids because of the Canberra bid. She was formerly heavily involved in the previous Canberra bid in her capacity as CEO of Capital Football. Do not think there is much "may" about that. Canberra is a small place.

FFA Board

Michael Lynch writes that "the clock is ticking" already on the new FFA administration. He talks with Chris Nikou, who is very lukewarm on a national second division, and continues to "bridle" at suggestions that he changed his position more than once in relation to the Congress Reform Working Group (CRWG) report. Nikou's response is: "Anyone who knows me knows that is not how I operate. Over the past couple of years I spent countless hours trying to pursue agreements in what was sometimes a toxic environment. I was viewed as being impartial in my thinking and acting in good faith.''

Nikou may well have "spent countless hours" trying to negotiate; that doesn't alter the fact that he signed-up to the CRWG report, and then was part of a Board response that would not accept it. He and the stakeholders may not be confused by that - the rest of us are!

Source

 2034   But if they bring in Promotion and Relegation a clause within the licence document will be enacted and 2034 will be redundent 

I can't work out what's happened with your quote there what's the source of that "it was asked why Nix didn't get a 20 year license..." line in there? Who was aked? When? Because that's counter to the whole narrative around the Nix extension last time, and there doesn't seem to be any reason why FIFA/AFC would limit it to only a few years. They could have either just canned it completely or signed any extension that came up. Whereas the FFA had motive for being dicks to us - pandering to their "Nix are useless" demographic in Australia and distracting from the shamble that was their leadership.

I can't find the source of the FIFA/AFC being fine with us info, unfortunately. Been too long since it was talked about. But I'm pretty sure that their approval was effectively a box-ticking exercise. Just because their approval is listed as a factor needed for us to get an extension doesn't mean it's a sticking point. It might just be how the legal documents are written - every time the license is extended those parties need to sign it.

"All extensions require authorisation from Fifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) and New Zealand Football (NZF). Gallop said the Phoenix’s long-term security will work hand in hand with those “key performance indicators”.

It ends the Phoenix’s long-running battle to secure their future in the A-League, after their request for a 10-year licence was declined by FFA last October. The club, whose current licence expires at the end of this season, was instead offered a four-year deal. That’s despite FFA previously extending the licences of all nine Australia-based clubs until 2034.

We asked for TEN Years (before the auto extensions to the other 9)

Won't a lot of this be moot once FFA sets up the new group to run the A-League, which is supposed to happen in the next few months? That group should then be the ones making the calls about everything to do with the A-League, included bringing in new clubs plus licence renewals and extensions. Even if FFA has to sign off on the deals (not sure about this bit), the A-League clubs should become masters of their own fate. Which I would hope means the other clubs coming up with a 'fair dinkum' deal for the Nix. Have I missed something? 

Yeah, I still don't see how that is meant to mean that AFC/FIFA were the reason we didn't get 10 years.... All it's saying is that any extension needs to be signed off by all stakeholders, not that some of those stakeholders didn't want to sign a longer one

 Starting here My reading skills are not great - LOL

That's just global regulations. I don't think there's anything in there that says that FIFA didn't want to sign an extension for the Nix

Looks Like AFC is the party that writes the procedure?

That article relates to Confederation competitions, so AFC Champions League and such, not the national leagues of the members of the Confederation.

A-League

In 'A-League Confidential' in News Corp this week, they note:

• three of the four new Directors have "significant ties" with A-League expansion bids: Deputy Chairman Heather Reid with Canberra, and both Joseph Carrozzi and Remo Nogarotto with South-West Sydney. This should leave the decision to be made by Chairman Chris Nikou, Crispin Murray and Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, all from the former Board who deferred the decision only last month! You couldn't make it up.
• the "shameful treatment" of Mark Shield at #FFAvotes, echoing what many on social media have said.
• a ceiling panel falling on the ground from a leak after the person sitting beneath the spot, Greg Griffin, had left.
• it's Female Football Round.

Source

                            SLowy

Gallop "It's been a frustrating time for almost everyone involved in football, so it's a chance to bring fresh ideas to the table."

Gallop on Fosters Stand

I'm sure Gallop will lead the charge with a wealth of fresh ideas.
1- 'How can we get rid of this Kiwi club? Waste of space. What do they bring to the table? Let's make it so tough for them they'll pick up their ball and walk out.' 

2 - 'Do you like my first idea? Wanna hear another one?'

Its why expansion needs to happen ASAP to prove otherwise. 4k crowds justify nothing. 

Dear Football Family,
An open letter to the Australian Football Community

Last week, the new Board of Football Federation Australia met for the first time.
The meeting was an important one on many levels.
Whilst expansion of the Hyundai A-League was a key outcome of the meeting which has rightly excited football fans, this was just one part of a longer conversation which we’d like to provide you more insight on.

It was a productive discussion which benefited from the continuing knowledge of previous directors Crispin Murray and Kelly Bayer-Rosmarin, along with the fresh perspective of newly elected directors Heather Reid AM, Joseph Carrozzi and Remo Nogarotto.

The Board of Directors was briefed by Senior Management on the broader strategy for the organisation, a strategy which is coming to its end in 2019.
We will now commence work to build towards the next four-year plan for our game.
The first step in that process is to set out an ambitious 100-day plan which seeks to define a true unity of purpose across the football family.

The 100-Day Plan compromises the following key, but not exhaustive, elements:
• Increased and improved communication with the football family, including through Community Football Summits and a Fans Forum
• Establishment of and advancement of work undertaken by the New Leagues Working Group • Establishment of the National Second Division Working Group
• Appointment of a new National Technical Director
• Finalisation of the review of the National Club Identity Policy
• Formal commencement of the bid for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
• Enhancing our relationships across the Asian Football Confederation and beyond • Hosting of the inaugural Women’s Cup of Nations across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne
• Commencement of a review into the National Premier Leagues encompassing licensing criteria, youth development, training compensation and the cost of playing
• Nationally co-ordinated government relations activity throughout 2019
All this consultation and research will inform the development of a new four-year strategy for FFA and a more defined roadmap for finalisation of this plan will be provided by the end of March 2019.

The football family covers a broad section of the community, each with different priorities and interests. It is the job of the FFA Board to unite our football community, move beyond recent challenges and start to work, collectively, with a single purpose to advance the interests of the whole of our game.
On this journey, we will not travel alone. In our first 100 days, we will embark on an extensive consultation process across the country.

As a first step, a series of forums, attended by Directors, will be held in the New Year. These forums will provide the opportunity to explore future plans but more importantly listen to the feedback of the football community and begin to harness its power.
The forums will include a series of Community Football Summits involving Member Federations, Zones and District Associations, grassroots clubs, NPL clubs, coaches, referees, fans, Women’s Council members and other stakeholder groups across each capital city.

Separately, in conjunction with clubs, a Fans Forum will be held to hear from those who make our game so special, those that create the atmosphere many other sports could only dream of. We need to hear from the fans of our great game. We are fully aware of the work undertaken in the off-season by the management team to improve the fan experience, but we also acknowledge that we need to grow attendances in our league competitions. For those that can’t attend these forums, we will make sure you can have your say by providing a live stream of these important events.
Further details on dates and venues, which will also be open to media, will be provided early in the New Year. We look forward to seeing you and hearing your views on our game.

Our engagement with our football family will not be limited to these forums. We recognise that the way we all communicate is changing, so we will be sure to talk and listen through regular dialogue in the media, on social media platforms and we want to make sure you are part of our journey along the way.
As I mentioned last week, our work on expansion doesn’t end with the announcement of Western Melbourne Group and Macarthur South West United as the 11th and 12th teams in the Hyundai A-League. We need to ensure both these teams are ready to excel in their first season, with the support of FFA. In considering the preferred bids, one of the key factors in our decision was the long-term growth opportunity for each club and their ability to be a driving force in growing the league. Further expansion beyond 12 teams requires careful planning and deep consultation with existing A-League Clubs and the wider football community.

An important first step in the next stage of expansion is to evolve the structure for the league in the future. The FFA management team has already undertaken a significant amount of work in this regard. FFA will be represented on the New Leagues Working Group (NLWG) by Directors Crispin Murray and Joseph Carrozzi. The NLWG will review the current model for the Hyundai A-League and identify options to establish a new operating model which gives owners, clubs, players, officials, sponsors and fans a sustainable, long-term commercially attractive proposition that will deliver continued growth for the game as a whole.

Another vital area where prompt attention is required is to build out the pathway to our professional competitions for other clubs that may aspire to be a part of them. To this end, a separate working group, to be led by Director Remo Nogarotto, will explore the establishment of a national second division. The working group will ensure that real focus is placed on this opportunity and feed its work into the NLWG whose terms of reference encapsulates all professional club football competitions. The second division working group will also contain representation from the Association of Australian Football Clubs.
These two steams of work on football competition structures will be a major priority in early 2019 and are fundamental to unlocking the future potential of professional club football in Australia.

In a year of particular political significance for Australia, we will increase our engagement across all levels of government to address some of the challenges of our game, including the issue of limited facilities across the country. As the largest community-based sport in the country, football must ensure that it is able to cater for the continued growth in participation demand at the grassroots, as well as provide elite facilities for an expanding player pathway. Much of this increasing demand for facilities is driven by booming female participation. FFA will lead a whole-of-football approach to government in order to pursue partnerships in facility investment and program funding to take into government elections in 2019.

Across all areas of the game that we work in, recognising football’s rich history will be a higher priority for the new Board. This was made evident just yesterday following announcement of the inaugural Women’s Cup of Nations, which will recognise the Matildas’ first ‘A-International’ fixture some 40 years ago against New Zealand and honour this historically significant event during the opening match-day of the tournament.
Increased engagement with Asia is central to both Australian and Asian football reaching their collective full potential. Since the AGM, we have attended FIFA, AFC and AFF events and, in my capacity as Chairman of FFA, I have been nominated to stand for election to the AFC Executive Committee. This is the first time an FFA Chairman has nominated for such a position and is a signal of the heightened importance the new Board places on ensuring the senior leadership of Australian football is deeply engaged in international relations.

As 2018 draws to a close, there is much to look forward to, in what promises to be a particularly eventful 2019.
The year will commence with the Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League ‘Summer of Heroes’, before attention turns to the UAE for the Caltex Socceroos’ defence of the AFC Asian Cup. We wish Graham Arnold and the team all the very best and know they will do us proud.
For the Westfield Matildas, 2019 provides a real opportunity to challenge for a FIFA Women’s World Cup and we are committed to providing Alen Stajcic and the team with the best possible environment to achieve their potential.
On behalf of the Board of Directors I wish you a safe holiday season and we look forward to an exciting year ahead for football in Australia.
Yours faithfully,

Chris Nikou

Chairman

From Nikou's letter...

An important first step in the next stage of expansion is to evolve the structure for the league in the future. The FFA management team has already undertaken a significant amount of work in this regard. FFA will be represented on the New Leagues Working Group (NLWG) by Directors Crispin Murray and Joseph Carrozzi. The NLWG will review the current model for the Hyundai A-League and identify options to establish a new operating model which gives owners, clubs, players, officials, sponsors and fans a sustainable, long-term commercially attractive proposition that will deliver continued growth for the game as a whole. 

Anyone know enough about Murray or Carrozzi to speculate on their possible attitude to the Nix? 

Fresh from Matilda Coaching saga 

SST has been told @FFA Deputy Chair @Reidyfour admitted to FFA Chair Chris Nikou and CEO David Gallop that she had leaked parts of the survey findings to various people including some media outlets

— Soccer Stoppage Time (@SocStoppageTime) January 24, 2019

If as explained to us, there should be an immediate Board Meeting

Nikou @RNogarotto @JosephCarrozzi and other board members , will have no option but to move a vote of no confidence in the deputy chair and have @Reidyfour removed from the board

— Soccer Stoppage Time (@SocStoppageTime) January 24, 2019

Dean, there is libel and defamation involved now. This is very serious stuff. pic.twitter.com/qE638NyInA

— Rory Carroll (@CarrollRory) January 24, 2019

Heather Reid has denied that accusation

So Soccer Stoppage Time is running to form (defernation/Slander or) just porkies

She's also locked down her twitter account since she denied it so who knows? Gonna be interesting.

Heather Reid, sounds an interesting one. 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/...

One of the key figures in the saga is FFA director Heather Reid, who was part of the new board installed in November at the insistence of FIFA. She angrily denied to the Herald that she is one of the people behind the plot to oust Stajcic.

"It's absolutely not correct," she fumed. "It's so far from the truth. I have no grudge against Alen Stajcic. To suggest that I have orchestrated his demise and that I've influenced the board members is an insult. Not to me, but the whole board.

"I suggest that it's an ugly mess that some people in the media want to push against women of influence. Certain people in the game want to ruin the reputation of pioneers like myself and [former director] Moya Dodd and hard-working people like [FFA head of women's football] Emma Highwood just to shift the blame somewhere else."

But then this also in the article, from Reid

"It's a pity that there aren't more parents and players prepared to speak up about some of his behaviour," Reid said. "If people knew the actual facts, they would be shocked. I can refer you to some people who were involved with the Green and Gold Army who were in Jordan for the Asian Cup and talked to parents and heard their concerns about the welfare of their daughters. And talk to players about their situation in the team.

"The whole thing is getting extremely ugly by pointing the finger at certain women, who have had a large positive impact on the game while people won't look in the mirror or their own backyard."

So Stajcic was sacked partly based on feedback from Matilda's player's parents & the Matilda's supporter group??!

By Dominic Bossi

24 January 2019 — 8:01pm

Football Federation Australia risks straining its relationship with its largest sponsor over the handling of the sacking of Matildas coach Alen Stajcic with Hyundai understood to be unhappy with public reception of the shock move.TheHerald understands the Korean car manufacturer is concerned by the poor publicity surrounding the handling of Stajcic's dismissal coinciding with an expensive advertisement campaign around Australian football.

A spokesman for Hyundai Australia declined to comment on the situation when approached by the Herald on Thursday however a senior source suggested the company is far from pleased with the performance of FFA.Hyundai's sponsorship expires next year.The company has been a commercial partner of the organisation since 2005and has been the naming rights partner of the A-League since its inception.
It is not yet known whether the handling of Stajcic's dismissal will influence Hyundai's decision to continue their sponsorship beyond 2020 though the governing body of Australian football will be working hard to appease sponsors in the wake of the fiasco.The Herald sought comment from FFA on Thursday but it is understood the governing body is in regular contact with the company.

Hyundai are not alone in their unhappiness, with several major stakeholders concerned with the performance of the FFA board. Meanwhile, the FFA has explained its reason for reaching out to Cricket Australia in their search for a new coach of the Matildas after appointing women's head coach Matthew Mott to the panel in charge of finding Stajcic's replacement.The FFA announced a four-person panel including former Matilda Julie Murray, FFA head of national teams Luke Casserly, Darlene Harrison of the AIS and Mott that will oversee the recruitment for a new coach to be concluded next month.

The FFA will be undertaking the search for a coach of its top womens' national team without the assistance of a technical director, as a replacement for Eric Abrams - who parted ways with the organisation in July - has yet to be appointed.Despite raising a few eyebrows, the selection of Mott from Cricket Australia was partly made to provide guidance on traits that make Australian women's national teams successful."I definitely think that the mentality of Australians and the culture of Australian sport teams is not the same as teams from other countries," Casserly said.

Similar to womens' football, cricket is experiencing a rapid rise in commercial and technical standards as the two codes have made significant strides to moving from amateur to professional games. The FFA says the parallel was another factor to seeking the assistance of Mott in their search for a new coach, instead of another football expert.

"If you look at where female cricket was as far as the transformation from part-time to professionalism, the success of the team, the profile of the team. The timelines of those progression of the cricket team [coincide with] the Matildas team ... there a lot of similarities in the growth of the two sports," Casserly said.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/ffa-s-primary-sponsor-unhappy-with-stajcic-sacking-saga-20190124-p50thl.html

Alen Stajcic sacking: Clock ticking on Matildas coach the second he took the job by @Gatty54

RAY GATT

12:00AM JANUARY 26, 2019
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Sacked Matildas coach Alen Stajcic was told in November by Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop that the election of a new board of directors was “good news for me — not so much for you”.

The inference from Gallop, even if suggested in jest, was that there were forces behind the scenes who were against Stajcic.

It was also claimed Stajcic was told months earlier by an FFA board member that “they are out to get you”.

Truth is, those forces have always been there. The clock was ticking on Stajcic’s reign from the day it was announced he was replacing Hesterine De Reus, who had been sacked on September 22, 2014, after a Matildas revolt over her strict regime.


To understand just a small part of the astonishing story in which Stajcic was controversially dumped just five months before he was due to lead them at the World Cup finals in France, you have to go back to the beginning.

Stajcic was a decent player in his day but never reached the heights of the NSL. He only wanted to make a difference in the sport. He wanted football to be the most popular game in the country and for Australia to show the world that it can play at the highest level.

He threw himself at the cause of women’s football and worked his way up the ladder. At 29 he ­became head coach of the NSW Institute of Sport’s women’s football program and led the NSW Sapphires to a title in the days before the W-League. It was a time when the women’s game got little or no financial support, let alone recognition.

Then followed a stint with the Young Matildas before club football called again and he was handed the job with Sydney FC’s W-League team, eventually leading them to two championships.

The results say differently, but there were some tough days. Little money was spent on the team, and many times the players had to change and get strapping to their ankles under the shade of trees at training and in full public view — when they could find a decent training venue. He also paid out of his own pocket for accommodation for some overseas players.

Now this is where things start to get interesting.

With his star on the rise, Stajcic understandably looked to new pastures in the women’s game but to no avail.

In the 12 to 15 months before he eventually got the Matildas job, he had applied for a number of positions within FFA, including the role with the Matildas, which went to De Reus, another with the Australian under 17s, which went to a women B-licence coach at the time, and technical director of women’s football, which went to Ante Juric.

Despite having all the qualifications and results on the board, Stajcic did not get a look-in. Why?

One source told The Weekend Australian they believe there was a common denominator, though they were reluctant to name names. Stajcic’s failure to get the Matildas job given to De Reus raises the most questions.

As a result of his outstanding work to that point, he was considered a standout candidate and was recommended to the FFA board.

However, The Weekend Australian has been told “that was blocked at board level because Staj had a number of influential opponents and there was a strong push for a woman”.

Another source confirmed there were robust discussions among panel members assigned to appoint a new coach and that some were adamant Stajcic was the best person for it. They were ignored and the job was handed to De Reus.

When the Dutchwoman was subsequently sacked and Stajcic replaced her, the finger was pointed at him as an instigator.

He has been a marked man ever since.

Despite his remarkable success with the Matildas that saw them finish runner-up in the Asian Cup in 2014 and 2018 and quarter-finalist at the World Cup (2015) and Olympics (2016), those forces finally got their way last Saturday when FFA announced he had been axed amid claims from the head body that he had overseen a “toxic culture” in the Matildas.

FFA has remained tight-lipped and has cited confidentiality and legal ramifications in refusing to give more details, but The Weekend Australian has been told there is no smoking gun allegation and no hint of sexual misbehaviour or violence that would warrant police intervention.

Instead, there have been allegations, not directly linked to Stajcic, of bullying, homophobic comments, fat-shaming and mental disintegration in the Matildas camp. The Weekend Australian is not suggesting Stajcic has engaged in any wrongdoing.

There is talk of the Matildas being divided. There are allegations some players have been in relationships with one another and allegations that some were upset and angry when told they could not room together.

Heads were turned further when it was reported FFA board member Heather Reid had contacted some media and football fans with commentary, which she also repeated in some astonishing public comments this week.

Having declined to speak to The Australian when contacted the day before, Reid gave an interview to The Sydney Morning Herald.

“It’s a pity that there aren’t more parents and players prepared to speak up about some of his behaviour,” Reid said.

“If people knew the actual facts, they would be shocked. I can refer you to some people who were involved with the Green and Gold Army (official supporter group) who were in Jordan for the Asian Cup (April 2018) and talked to ­parents and heard their concerns about the welfare of their daughters.

“And talk to players about their situation in the team.”

Questions need to be asked around just who knew, and how much they knew, about that situation with the Matildas.

FFA had quite a deal of staff and management at that tournament and other games and camps involving the team, so if there were issues, why weren’t they picked up there and then?

As well, just about every professional sporting organisation works under a Member Protection Policy, which Gallop referenced in an interview this week.

“FFA has a full-time national team player development manager as well as member protection officers to assist with any issues,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

Why weren’t the member protection officers aware of the issues? And if they were, wasn’t this situation dealt with under the MPP?

In refusing to answer specific questions about the reports, FFA has been hiding behind “confidentiality” so as to protect all parties, yet Reid was quick to publicly cast stones at Stajcic. It has been suggested that her position on the board would appear untenable.

At least three Matildas staff members, disgusted with the treatment of Stajcic, have resigned of their own accord. Heads are expected to roll, especially at FFA level, as the fallout to one of the most damaging situations in Australian soccer history continues.

As many as 17 Matildas have come out in public support of Stajcic, notably Australia’s best player Sam Kerr and captain Clare Polkinghorne.

Using her Twitter account, Kerr posted last Sunday: “I have not been gagged by the FFA. I have not commented because I wasn’t ready to comment while I am still shocked and upset. My trust was in Staj to lead us to the World Cup final & I believe he was the best coach for that. Thankful for everything he’s done for me and the team.”

While insisting the Matildas must move on from the drama and start concentrating on the World Cup, Polkinghorne defended Stajcic.

She said on Thursday she had not experienced bullying, fat-shaming or the toxic environment cited as part of the “unacceptable culture” that allegedly manifested itself under Stajcic and required his removal.

“But I’m just one player and can’t speak on behalf of other players,” she said.

“Over the last four or five years we’ve created a successful environment and got good results.”

Social media has been awash with accusations and finger-pointing with suggestions “burner” accounts on Twitter have been used in an attempt to discredit Stajcic.

The entire situation has got out of control. FFA has been slammed for their handling of it. The pressure is on FFA chairman Chris Nikou and Gallop to come up with answers amid fears they will simply opt to ride out the storm, hoping fans and the media will lose interest.

But judging by the reaction, especially among the rank and file, that is not going to be allowed to happen as calls grow for the head body to instigate an independent inquiry to get to the bottom of it.

Only then are we likely to get the answers many in the sport have been seeking.

Football needs to learn to be transparent and deal with issues, not silence those who ask questions

28 January 2019 | Bonita Mersiades

Yesterday (Sunday 27 January) I received an email from a director of FFA which I find to be inappropriate, without basis, and a veiled attempt to silence and intimidate me.

I briefed a solicitor on this matter. My solicitor wrote back to the director yesterday requesting a reply, and confirmation that a number of communications produced by the director about this matter (which are in my possession) were in fact issued by the director. I also sought further comment from the director on the communications issued by this person.

We have received a brief response today that is not satisfactory.

Sauce

FFA board member Heather Reid set to bow out of a temporary basis due to personal reasons by @gatty54 RAY (cont) https://t.co/IhxQF6sR8h

— Elia Santoro ? (@Elia_Santoro) January 29, 2019

Mr Nikou must now instigate immediate investigation into the sacking of Stajcic. Board made decision based on information presented. That information and the process which occurred must be tested. Credibility will be partly restored if they admit they were misinformed @Gatty54

— Stefan Kamasz (@kamasz_stefan) January 29, 2019

That's the key, Stefan. If error in judgment took place just admit it and fix the mess. Would go a long way towards restoring the fans' trust and showing the 'new' @FFA is actually new

— Philip Micallef (@MicallefPhilip) January 29, 2019

Unfortunately Philip, the lawyers will be all over this and will be guiding the manner in which FFA responds. The legal advice, I assume will be all about protecting FFA’s position. Meanwhile the damage to Stajcic and his family remains.

— Stefan Kamasz (@kamasz_stefan) January 29, 2019

And the new Board is:

Clarification Just In - Reid stand down not directly related to Matilda coach sacking.

FFA clear the air in this statement:

The directors of Football Federation Australia (FFA) today granted a request from fellow director, Heather Reid, for approval of an indefinite leave of absence from the Board.

The request is to enable Ms Reid to give full focus to her health and well-being following the requirement, after her election to the Board in November, to undergo chemotherapy treatment for a medical condition.

In the circumstances, Heather has requested that the Members of FFA and the football community understand her decision to step aside and respect her and her family’s privacy at this challenging time.

Speaking on behalf of FFA, Chairman Chris Nikou extended FFA’s best wishes to Ms Reid “Our thoughts are with Heather and her family and we wish her a full and speedy recovery” he said.

https://www.ffa.com.au/news/ffa-statement-regarding-heather-reid

Social Media comments referred to Police in on going Matilda coach sacking public relations gaffe by FFA 

A Good Road

Alen Stajcic: My Matildas nightmare

https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/alen-stajcic-my-matildas-nightmare-519106

"I earnestly hope that this matter can be resolved in a timely manner in the best interests of the Matildas, my family, and the broader football community.

Thank you."

Yep #BonnzaMate

Audit wasn't designed to access conditions of Stajcic's contract,

"Didulica also shut down rumours Stajcic presided over a toxic culture which include homophobia and fat shaming saying the PFA have no insight on those allegations."

Will Heads Roll

The FFA are using the results of the internal Our Watch survey to scrutinise other departments as a furious FFA board seek answers from the fallout of the Alen Stajcic sacking.

Following Monday night's board meeting at the FFA, FTBL understands the governing body's national performance unit is the latest to come under the microscope as part of a broader performance review across the entire organisation.

It comes after one FFA insider told FTBL today that it’s expected the FFA board - still furious at how the sacking has led to questions about why the alleged "toxic team culture" that led to Stajcic's dismissal was not known earlier - are set to zero in on Senior Management with the expectation that they'll swing the axe.

CEO David Gallop and Head of Women’s Football Emma Highwood are two of a number of roles expected to come into probe's spotlight.

It comes after the PR nightmare of the Matildas coach Alen Stajcic being sacked last month, one which has reportedly “trashed our brand” according to one FFA source quoted by SMH.

The sacking was taken because of what FFA deemed a harmful culture around the Matildas.

A PFA report and an Our Watch survey and other interviews were used as evidence for FFA’s case to terminate Stajcic contract five months out from a World Cup.

Our Watch has been established, in their words, to drive 'nationwide change in the culture, behaviours and power imbalances that lead to violence against women and their children.'

It's believed the department of Luke Casserly, head of national teams, is the latest area to be probed using the results of November's survey.

An FFA spokesman added: "Our Watch have undertaken an organisation-wide survey in November 2018.

"This survey was sent to all staff, contractors, casuals, national team male and female players and referees.

"FFA entered into a partnership with Our Watch in August 2018 as part of FFA’s commitment to gender equality.

"As part of the agreement with Our Watch, FFA issued a cultural survey across the organisation in November 2018."

Quick pay him out before this gets messy - To Late

State federations demand answers over Alen Stajcic’s shock sacking

FEBRUARY 12, 2019

Pressure is growing for a full inquiry into the sacking of ex-Matildas coach Alen Stajcic, with key stakeholders still demanding answers over the events leading up to it — and since.

Amid widespread dismay at the storm of negative headlines over Stajcic’s sacking on January 19, FFA chiefs have promised to respond this week.

But The Daily Telegraph understands the state federations have reserved the right to formalise their calls for more transparency if they are not satisfied with the detail of how the saga has so damaged the sport.

The furore shows no sign of abating, with board members insisting on a review of senior management’s performance to ascertain how events could have led to the sacking of a national coach five months before a World Cup.

In a letter sent last month, the state federations wrote to the FFA board seeking an “understanding” of events leading to the decision to sack Stajcic over an alleged “unacceptable team environment”, and how the fallout has been managed since.

Depending on the response from FFA — promised this week — it has been made clear that the state federations are aware of their ability to escalate their concerns as the new FFA board tries to gain control of the agenda.

The sacking of Alen Stajcic still irks. Picture: Getty Images

Ultimately, under the terms of the constitution passed only last October, only five per cent of the 100 votes available to members of FFA’s Congress are needed to call an emergency general meeting.

With the nine state federations sharing 55 votes on a pro-rata basis, any one of them could call an EGM, though it’s understood all are aware of the acute seriousness of taking such a drastic step.

The head of the FFA’s new Women’s Council, Ros Moriarty, has also said she has sought clarity over the decision to axe Stajcic, one on which the Council was not consulted.

Questions of FFA around governance, due diligence and transparency are going begging, Moriarty wrote two weeks ago in an online blog.

 (FFA chairman) Chris Nikou has assured me he is asking those questions of his administration.

Pressure continues to mount on FFA leaders, including CEO David Gallop. Picture: AAP

Within FFA itself an internal review of the national teams unit has begun, with staff asked to engage with the findings of the Our Watch survey which was used in part justification for Stajcic,s sacking.

The survey, of all of the FFA staff, was anonymous and gave respondees the option of indicating which department they work in.

Our Watch is a gender-equality advocacy group, which has worked with a number of sporting bodies to examine their internal cultures.

Former Matilda Melissa Barbieri joined the list of players posting support for Stajcic, two days after he fronted a press conference in a bid to clear my name;.

Barbieri wrote on social media that it was time to remind of the legacy he truly has … your reputation is fine with me and I’m sure with many others.

Pressure is growing for a full inquiry into the sacking of ex-Matildas coach Alen Stajcic, with key stakeholders still demanding answers over the events leading up to it — and since.

Amid widespread dismay at the storm of negative headlines over Stajcic’s sacking on January 19, FFA chiefs have promised to respond this week.

But The Daily Telegraph understands the state federations have reserved the right to formalise their calls for more transparency if they are not satisfied with the detail of how the saga has so damaged the sport.

The furore shows no sign of abating, with board members insisting on a review of senior management’s performance to ascertain how events could have led to the sacking of a national coach five months before a World Cup.

In a letter sent last month, the state federations wrote to the FFA board seeking an “understanding” of events leading to the decision to sack Stajcic over an alleged “unacceptable team environment”, and how the fallout has been managed since.

Depending on the response from FFA — promised this week — it has been made clear that the state federations are aware of their ability to escalate their concerns as the new FFA board tries to gain control of the agenda.

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AS the board stand still awaiting this fiasco to die down.

If you want an insight into the toxic culture around women’s football this is the type of message Matilda’s players were waking up to last week. The 4 are two former Matilda’s, one former board member and one (non playing) individual who has disgraced themselves during this time. pic.twitter.com/Q86rGiNQb7

— Rory Carroll (@CarrollRory) February 18, 2019

GALLOP defiant in Coach Sacking

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Football Today Rate the FFA Board on the first 100 Days

Today being the 100th day of their reign, we take a look at how they’re going with implementation of the 10 priority areas set out in Nikou’s letter and give each area a rating to achieve an overall result.

The 10 points were not particularly ‘stretch goals’, and were mostly confined to commencing a process, rather than achieving an outome.

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