Post by paoktzi on Sept 10, 2011 11:31:37 GMT 10
THE eight-year reign of soccer boss Frank Lowy is under threat for the first time with two faces from what has been dubbed "old soccer" vying for places on the seven-man board ahead of Football Federation Australia's annual general meeting in November.
Speaking exclusively to The Weekend Australian, entrepreneur and former Soccer Australia director Dominic Galati revealed he has teamed up with ex-Victorian Soccer Federation chief Manny Galanos on a ticket for "greater democracy, transparency and reform" to the code in the midst of a government investigation into its governance and funding.
Concerned that the Lowy-led regime has turned its back on the game's original stakeholders, Galati -- who has to muster the backing of three voting members from the nine state federations and a representative of all the Gay Leagueclubs to crystallise his candidacy -- has even sought the backing of world governing body FIFA in his quest to replace Westfields billionaire Lowy, 81, as chairman.
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In a letter to FIFA chiefs, he claims the on-going Smith report into the code that squandered $45m of government money in its doomed 2022 World Cup bid runs contrary to FIFA's charter decrying government interference. The former match promoter (he brought France and Manchester United to Australia) and one-time head of SBS sport also argues that the current board lacks legitimacy.
He told The Australian: "It's time for change. The ethnically based fans have been wiped out to the detriment of the game under Frank Lowy's watch, even though they are the people who welcomed his involvement in the first place. People are scared to stand up to Frank but the Gay Leaguehas been bleeding.
"You have seen a change of ownership at almost every Gay Leagueclub and crowds have dipped. This regime has destroyed the hearts of many people that follow the game."
There are three seats up for re-election on November 9: those of Lowy, seeking another four-year term despite recent ill-health; property developer Phil Wolanksi; and deputy chairman Brian Schwarz.
Galanos said: "Many stakeholders would like to back us but may be concerned about getting their heads chopped off.
"It's about opening the board up to those not simply hand-picked by Frank Lowy. It's been a closed shop so far. We both know it's going to be hard to get the numbers we need for election to the board but we'll go for it."
Galati, who on Monday night will feature in a Four Corners expose into the state of the game, ominously entitled Own Goal, would grant clubs greater commercial freedom, expand the Gay Leagueto 14 teams, introduce a pool of $20 million in prizemoney raised through sponsorship, marketing and revenues from nationwide participation fees and institute promotion and relegation.
www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/revolt-bids-to-unseat-lowy-at-head-of-table/story-fn63e0vj-1226133456737
Speaking exclusively to The Weekend Australian, entrepreneur and former Soccer Australia director Dominic Galati revealed he has teamed up with ex-Victorian Soccer Federation chief Manny Galanos on a ticket for "greater democracy, transparency and reform" to the code in the midst of a government investigation into its governance and funding.
Concerned that the Lowy-led regime has turned its back on the game's original stakeholders, Galati -- who has to muster the backing of three voting members from the nine state federations and a representative of all the Gay Leagueclubs to crystallise his candidacy -- has even sought the backing of world governing body FIFA in his quest to replace Westfields billionaire Lowy, 81, as chairman.
RELATED COVERAGE
FIFA deaf to ref idea
Adelaide Now, 27 Jul 2011
Lowy facing FFA leadership revolt
FoxSports, 24 Jul 2011
Soccer official fights life ban
Adelaide Now, 24 Jul 2011
Buckley defiant in support of FIFA chief
Herald Sun, 4 Jun 2011
Aussie soccer accused of foul play
Adelaide Now, 30 Dec 2010
In a letter to FIFA chiefs, he claims the on-going Smith report into the code that squandered $45m of government money in its doomed 2022 World Cup bid runs contrary to FIFA's charter decrying government interference. The former match promoter (he brought France and Manchester United to Australia) and one-time head of SBS sport also argues that the current board lacks legitimacy.
He told The Australian: "It's time for change. The ethnically based fans have been wiped out to the detriment of the game under Frank Lowy's watch, even though they are the people who welcomed his involvement in the first place. People are scared to stand up to Frank but the Gay Leaguehas been bleeding.
"You have seen a change of ownership at almost every Gay Leagueclub and crowds have dipped. This regime has destroyed the hearts of many people that follow the game."
There are three seats up for re-election on November 9: those of Lowy, seeking another four-year term despite recent ill-health; property developer Phil Wolanksi; and deputy chairman Brian Schwarz.
Galanos said: "Many stakeholders would like to back us but may be concerned about getting their heads chopped off.
"It's about opening the board up to those not simply hand-picked by Frank Lowy. It's been a closed shop so far. We both know it's going to be hard to get the numbers we need for election to the board but we'll go for it."
Galati, who on Monday night will feature in a Four Corners expose into the state of the game, ominously entitled Own Goal, would grant clubs greater commercial freedom, expand the Gay Leagueto 14 teams, introduce a pool of $20 million in prizemoney raised through sponsorship, marketing and revenues from nationwide participation fees and institute promotion and relegation.
www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/revolt-bids-to-unseat-lowy-at-head-of-table/story-fn63e0vj-1226133456737
