On Tuesday, there was a meeting between the FIFA delegation currently in Sydney as part of the FFA congress reforum process and representatives of fan groups from around the A-League. Dave Richardson was the Yellow Fever representative at the meeting, who flew to Sydney to attend.
The following is a joint statement from all the supporter clubs from around the league.
Yesterday representatives of Fans from CCM, Sydney FC, WSW and Wellington attended a meeting with FIFA, AFC and FFA representatives to provide a fans perspective on the FFA and the state of the game in Australia. Also in attendance were representatives of Football Supporters Australia, a new Fan advocacy group. The FFA requested that clubs nominate attendees for this meeting which some did not do, that combined with the late notice and daytime weekday scheduling meant that not all A-League clubs fans were represented directly.
Those in attendance took the opportunity to describe in detail the state of fan relations with the FFA and the absence of any effort historically by the FFA to engage in good faith with fans. The unwillingness of the FFA to support fans when attacked by sections of the media presenting false narratives and a lack of concern for the value that fans bring to the game in decision-making were highlighted.
Fans collective frustration and disappointment in their dealings with the FFA were made clear and in many cases careful framing of the often unique circumstances that Australian football operates in was required to help FIFA and AFC representatives understand why leadership and engagement from the FFA is vitally important. The relative immaturity of A-League clubs and the position of football as 4th most popular spectator sport with an often hostile media were covered in particular.
The value of the exercise remains to be seen, but the representatives in attendance made it clear that fans need a voice in the 'new model' FFA congress and that the continued failure of the FFA to engage, consider and respect the role of fans in the Australian game must change.