Football Federation Australia "could have some of its powers diluted if it is forced to bow to pressure from FIFA to make changes to its constitution," according to Ray Gatt of THE AUSTRALIAN. FIFA confirmed that its representatives and several from the Asian Football Confederation "will be in Sydney on September 21 and 22 to meet with FFA and its stakeholders to discuss bringing its constitution in line with FIFA’s statutes used for member associations around the world." It is understood FIFA is "concerned that some sections of the game in Australia are not properly represented." A-League clubs, "who have long been unhappy that they have not had a bigger say in the national competition, would likely benefit from FIFA’s move, which is believed to have been instigated after AFC intervention." One of the implications of FIFA’s push for constitutional change "is the introduction of an independent commission to run the A-League." A FIFA spokesperson said in a statement, "FIFA statutes stipulate that legislative bodies of FIFA’s member association must be constituted in accordance with the principles of representative democracy." FFA "will mount a strong case to maintain the status quo" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 9/13).
