The PFA’s A-Leagues Delegates met this evening to discuss the Australian Professional Leagues’ (APL) decision to assign the A-League Men’s and Women’s Grand Finals to Sydney for the next three seasons.
The position from the meeting was clear: the players are not in support of the decision or the process which led to it.
For transparency, the PFA was not involved in the process, although was informed of the imminent announcement.
Fans and players sit at the heart of the game and decisions that significantly impact them must be made in partnership to ensure the continued growth of the sport. The success to date of the Grand Finals during the National Soccer League and A-League eras has been due to the genuine connection between the fans, the players and the clubs.
The players have always acknowledged and been responsive to the economic challenges and realities that face the game. They respect the significant investment made by club owners since the leagues’ inception and welcome the confidence the NSW Government has in the sport.
However, events of recent days call into question the governance model of the APL and the principles in which we anchor Australian football. Collective responsibility is the foundation of good governance.
During the unbundling of the A-Leagues from Football Australia, the PFA advocated for an independent APL board, as recommended in the Crawford Report. This type of governance model remains in the best interests of the game.
The professional game must unite urgently to chart a path forward for the good of the game.
The players remain ready and willing to play their part.
