Rowdy
Well-Known Member
FFA admit silence was a mistake:
Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO David Gallop has admitted the governing body should have spoken out sooner against the release of confidential documents published by the Daily Telegraph.
New FFA chairman Steven Lowy joined Gallop in staging a press conference ahead of the first full meeting of the new board.
A number of issues will be discussed by the FFA board, including the banning and appeals process that has caused mass furore among A-League supporters.
Lowy was making his first public appearance since the Telegraph story and condemned the naming and shaming of the members of FFA's ban list.
"I've waited until now because I wanted to be informed on the issues," Lowy said.
"Since the ban list was published 11 days ago I have been well informed by David and the team.
"Let me get something on the record: The publication of the banned list was a travesty.
"It was a confidential document for good reason. FFA didn't need the Sunday Telegraph to tell us that was an issue."
Gallop backed up Lowy's comments and admitted the FFA should have condemned the article sooner.
"We got that wrong," he said. "We should have said something earlier. It tarnished FFA by saying we were in denial."
Lowy also assured fans that the banning and appeals process will be looked at closely.
"We absolutely stand with the fans of football," he said. No other sport in the country can generate the atmosphere that football does.
"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.
"It's a difficult system. The fundamentals of it are complex. We definitely want to get engaged and get on board peoples views.
Gallop added: "There are issues about how much evidence we can disclose because that comes from confidential quarters."
Lowy also admitted that the planned boycotts by A-League fans this weekend and beyond "concerns" him.
"The boycotts concern us. We hope what we say today gives an understanding about the complexities of the issues.
"We hope what we say today shows we stand with the fans. We hope they come this weekend, but we respect their views. Our job is to listen."
Gallop added: "We accept that it's unlikely there will be active groups this weekend. We look to get this review moving as quickly as we can."
Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO David Gallop has admitted the governing body should have spoken out sooner against the release of confidential documents published by the Daily Telegraph.
New FFA chairman Steven Lowy joined Gallop in staging a press conference ahead of the first full meeting of the new board.
A number of issues will be discussed by the FFA board, including the banning and appeals process that has caused mass furore among A-League supporters.
Lowy was making his first public appearance since the Telegraph story and condemned the naming and shaming of the members of FFA's ban list.
"I've waited until now because I wanted to be informed on the issues," Lowy said.
"Since the ban list was published 11 days ago I have been well informed by David and the team.
"Let me get something on the record: The publication of the banned list was a travesty.
"It was a confidential document for good reason. FFA didn't need the Sunday Telegraph to tell us that was an issue."
Gallop backed up Lowy's comments and admitted the FFA should have condemned the article sooner.
"We got that wrong," he said. "We should have said something earlier. It tarnished FFA by saying we were in denial."
Lowy also assured fans that the banning and appeals process will be looked at closely.
"We absolutely stand with the fans of football," he said. No other sport in the country can generate the atmosphere that football does.
"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.
"It's a difficult system. The fundamentals of it are complex. We definitely want to get engaged and get on board peoples views.
Gallop added: "There are issues about how much evidence we can disclose because that comes from confidential quarters."
Lowy also admitted that the planned boycotts by A-League fans this weekend and beyond "concerns" him.
"The boycotts concern us. We hope what we say today gives an understanding about the complexities of the issues.
"We hope what we say today shows we stand with the fans. We hope they come this weekend, but we respect their views. Our job is to listen."
Gallop added: "We accept that it's unlikely there will be active groups this weekend. We look to get this review moving as quickly as we can."
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