A-League Clubs Demand Audit Of Football Federation Australia's Books

A-League clubs "are demanding a forensic financial audit" of Football Federation Australia's books -- "and have threatened court action if their demand is not met," according to Michael Lynch of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. The clubs -- "increasingly angry over what they claim is an inadequate share of the spoils" from the governing body's revenue-sharing model -- want "full disclosure on where money has been spent over the past three years," and an explanation of why their payouts "are insufficient for them to cover costs." The clubs want a "significant rise" in their share of broadcast, merchandising, sponsorship and ticket revenue after years of "collectively incurring losses." They also singled out specific aspects of FFA's spending and "tabled questions they want answered in an incendiary letter" to "under-fire" FFA Chair Steven Lowy (SMH, 6/29).