Lowy vows to succeed without help of AFL

April 2 – Australia has reached agreement with the country’s rival football codes and every State Government to support its bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup, Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy (pictured) has claimed.

Details of who would fund a World Cup had been agreed by the Federal and state Governments had already been finalised, Lowy claimed, and agreements with the Australian Football League (AFL), National Rugby League (NRL) and Australian Rugby Union (ARU) were ready to be finalised “within the next few days”.

But Lowy appears to have failed to persuade the AFL to let the bid use Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium as one of its venues if Australia is selected to host the tournament.

He said: ”Etihad is off the list.

“They have certain prior rights and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Negotiations with the AFL have been particularly tense as Aussie Rules officials fear that a World Cup would disrupt their season.

Lowy said: ”We’ll succeed without them.

“I’m confident of where we are.”

The 10,000-page bid book will be sent for printing, binding and checking next week before its submission to FIFA in May, Lowy said.

Lowy said: ”I have no hesitation in telling you that we are practically there, bar a few minor details.

“There are still some mechanics to be done, but I think we’re there.

“May 14 is around the corner, the book is due by then.

“With six state entities and the Federal Government to negotiate with, let alone all the other sports, it takes a bit of time to come to an understanding on all these issues – who pays for what and how much.

“It takes some doing.

“But I had a letter from the Prime Minister [Kevin Rudd] back in December, saying all will be well.

“Now I, too, can say that it will be.”

Lowy claimed the complex financial breakdown had been signed off by the Premiers in all the States.

“It’s all been sorted out, what will be the contribution from the Commonwealth to the states – it’s not been on the table for very long, but it’s done now.”

Lowy remains cautiously optimistic about Australia’s chances of being awarded either the 2018 or, more likely, 2022 World Cup.

He said: ”We are working very hard but we must remember this is a contest.

“Nine nations are competing against us, all of them putting their best foot forward in building and promising stadia.

“But I think there is a sympathy for Australia.”

“We’ve never had [the World Cup] here, we’re part of the Asian Confederation now and we’re giving an opportunity for FIFA to bring world exposure to Asia.

We are determined to win, we’re doing well and in as good a position as we can be for now.

“I’m hoping and confident we will prevail.”