A separated A-League "is imminent" after Football Federation Australia told club owners that it was "finally prepared to relinquish control" of its competition, according to David Davutovic of the HERALD SUN. No transition plan was revealed by FFA and an expansion criteria is "now unlikely to be released prior to the unveiling of separation plan," though the split "could happen in time for next season with A-League clubs set to work on a blueprint in coming weeks." Voting reform and the annual dividend to A-League clubs "remain sticking points after two days of talks between FFA and club heavyweights in Sydney." A-League clubs rejected an offer of two extra congress votes "after FFA pitched an electorate rise" from 10 to 17 votes with five of the extra seven going to "special interest groups" such as beach football and referees. Defiant A-League clubs "insisted on more than three (of 17) votes they were offered" by FFA Chair Steven Lowy and his exec team, while they are also "hellbent" on a A$6M ($4.6M) annual dividend. FFA "conceded that the A-League must be separated to grow the value of the club licenses and entice more investors and investment from the existing clubs" (HERALD SUN, 2/15). THE AUSTRALIAN's Ray Gatt wrote the clubs "are ready for a fight." They are "clearly united and are prepared to dig in their heels to get a better outcome, not just regarding the voting structure but in terms of the financial returns to the clubs" from the A$360M broadcast rights deal that was sealed last year. They have "long argued" that they do not "get a fair deal from FFA," given the A-League provides close to 80% of its revenue. Currently, the 10 clubs receive A$2.5M ($1.9M) each in distributions, "which allows them to cover the salary cap." They are "seeking as much as" A$6M each. Meanwhile, Victoria Patriots, which are bidding for Victoria’s third A-League license, unveiled an advisory board "as they step up plans for inclusion in the national competition." The board will be made up of Joanne Plummer, Paul Sergeant and Maurice Bisetto (THE AUSTRALIAN, 2/16).
