Football Federation Australia is "at risk of fracturing the relationship with one of its key commercial partners, with the NSW government angered over plans to stage the biggest home World Cup Qualifier in Melbourne," according to Dominic Bossi of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The FFA is "in the latter stages of planning the venues for Australia's road to Russia but a proposal to play the home match against Japan at the MCG has caused a rift." After making a "landmark contribution to football by signing a five-year partnership with the FFA to host 11 international games," Destination NSW "will be fuming if the most high-profile of the five qualifiers is held away from Sydney." As part of that agreement, "Sydney will receive at least one Socceroos match per year including four World Cup qualifiers to be determined by the FFA." It is understood the FFA is "negotiating with the Victorian government" to stage the Oct. 11 match at Australia's largest sporting venue. FFA would "not be in breach of the deal with Destination NSW by hosting the Japan game away from Sydney, but the state government may consider such a move would be against the spirit of the partnership." When contacted about the discussions for the Japan match, NSW Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres "highlighted the existing deal and implored the FFA to acknowledge the goodwill extended as part of the agreement" (SMH, 6/2).
