By Mark Baber
September 2 – With the Football Federation Australia (FFA) and Professional Footballers Australia (PFA) having failed to come to a new Collective Bargaining Arrangement (CBA) after the expiry of the previous agreement on June 30 and the FFA’s decision to terminate the Memorandum of Understanding between the FFA and PFA on August 14, 2015, the Socceroos have decided to show solidarity with their comrades by declining all commercial appearances on behalf of the FFA.
According to a statement by the PFA on Monday, the players “would not attend FFA commercial events and appearances and will instead seek to undertake additional community and charity appearances to ensure fans do not miss out on meeting the players.”
PFA Chief Executive Adam Vivian said: “This is a serious decision by the players, and they have not taken it lightly, they do so in support of all of Australia’s professional footballers.
“The players will undertake all World Cup qualifiers, community, media and charity appearances, despite being under no contractual obligation to do so.
“What our Socceroos members are seeking is simple, respect from the game’s governing body. Currently that is missing from the negotiations regarding a new agreement to protect the rights of the players and to grow the game together.
“The A-League and the Matildas are fighting for an agreement that respects their critical role in the development of the game and all who want to see football in Australia continue to progress.
“The players are currently not being respected by the FFA. There is over $1.4million in outstanding remuneration owed to A-League players. Players are being let down by some clubs and there are no repercussions from FFA when obligations to players are continually not met.
“The Matildas have had to undertake a full-time workload for part-time wages. We have seen little to no regard shown for the impact this has on the lives of our elite female players. This is unacceptable.
“The Socceroos stand in solidarity with their A-League and Matildas counterparts. Without respect being afforded to the players the game cannot move forward.
“The PFA has proposed measures to address many of the issues the code faces. This has included a more robust A-League licensing system, improved governance of the game and an agreement which shares the game’s revenues fairly and equitably.
“The FFA’s response to this has been to attack the rights of players to have a collective agreement, by terminating the Memorandum of Understanding, the last legal protection of the players.
“The Socceroos value community support above all, as demonstrated by their willingness to undertake additional community and charity appearances. However, the nation’s elite footballers need to be treated with respect by FFA so we can continue to grow the game.”
As a result of the action a shopping centre appearance in Perth was reportedly cancelled leading FFA chief David Gallop to apologise to the Perth public saying “This action by the PFA will deny many people a rare opportunity to see Socceroo players in Perth. We deeply regret that many people will be left disappointed.”
According to Gallop, “This comes in the context of six months of productive talks over a new whole of game Collective Bargaining Agreement, in which the parties have substantial agreement on many key issues.
“One must ask whether our senior national team players have had the game’s financial position explained to them so that they understand the affordability aspects of the negotiation.”
“If those facts were fully explained we would be very surprised if our players would have taken the step of boycotting these important initiatives.”
With Australia preparing to play Bangladesh in a World Cup qualifier on Thursday the sensitivities of the dispute were highlighted when Australia coach Ange Postecoglou was forced to retract comments saying the dispute was affecting Australia’s preparations and that the dispute was ”getting played out in the Socceroo camp … while the game is on, lay down your guns and pick them up as soon as it’s over.”
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