FIFA Tells Football Federation Australia To Fall In Line Or Risk Sanctions

Football Federation Australia's "attempts to kill off moves for local reform have been rebuffed" by FIFA, according to Davutovic & Windley of the HERALD SUN. FIFA is understood to have "held firm on a March deadline to implement change to its governance structure after high level meetings in Zurich on Thursday." A March 31 deadline has been set by FIFA "for Australian stakeholders to agree on a new general assembly" -- the electorate deciding on the composition of the FFA board. An FFA delegation, led by Chair Steven Lowy and CEO David Gallop, "met with FIFA heavies where it's believed they were told they must stand by reform plans." FFA "must now agree with local stakeholders" -- including A-League clubs, state and territory federations and the players’ associations -- on a new voting structure. A failure to reach a compromise by the deadline "would see FFA risk sanctions" (HERALD SUN, 2/2).