June 14 – Former Liverpool and England striker Robbie Fowler (pictured) has launched a legal action against North Queensland Fury and Football Federation Australia (FFA).
It follows the termination of his contract with Fury.
Fowler, the Fury’s marquee signing for its first A-League season, and five other North Queensland players were left without contracts after previous Fury chairman Don Matheson withdrew his financial support for the club, leaving the side in FFA administration.
A subsequent corporate restructure, where North Queensland Football Club Pty Ltd was replaced by the FFA-owned North Queensland Fury Football Club Pty Ltd saw several player contracts terminated.
Brendan Schwab, the chief executive of the Professional Footballer’s Australia (PFA), alleges that the the FFA reneged on a promise to North Queensland players last February that all player contracts would be assigned if the Fury survived, something that occurred when Perth and Adelaide United previously went into administration.
Schwab claimed the PFA re-negotiated contracts for all the Fury players except Fowler, the organisation saying they opted for legal action in this instance as the FFA had terminated the 35-year-old’s contract without “just cause” and without negotiating any outside settlement.
“The case is of fundamental importance to all A-League players, as it goes to the heart of the security of a player contract in the A-League,” Schwab said on the PFA website.
“To Robbie’s credit, he could have gone and played in just about any country around the world and forgotten about the Fury situation, but he is committed to developing the Australian game and ensuring contract security for Australian players.”
Fowler, 35, has since signed a new contract with Perth Glory but remains furious at the situation.
“I think the way the players were treated up there [in North Queensland] was disgraceful to be honest,” he said.
“[But] I’m here now because thankfully the [Glory] chairman and the manager gave us another chance to play football over here and Perth Glory is the place.
“The players in the A-League feel very strongly that all player contracts must be protected whenever an A-League club is restructured.
“Players make career and lifestyle-changing decisions in reliance on the contracts they have signed.
“Obviously, the game’s extensive efforts to attract the highest calibre of players into the competition are only as strong as the security of the contracts they sign.
“This case is not about the compensation, it is about ensuring contract security for all players in the A-League and more specifically for the players who have suffered from the way in which the FFA handled the player contracts.
“Players like James Robinson, Scott Wilson and Jacob Timpano, whose careers have been cut short after being terminated while recovering from long-term injuries.
“Players like Paul Henderson and Chris Tadrosse who moved their families to Townsville in good faith that their contracts were secure.
“Players like Shane Stefanutto who sacrificed a European career in order to develop the A-League and more specifically football in North Queensland.”
FFA said it would not comment on the specifics of an individual case but warned that Fowler’s action could jeopardise the future of Fury.
“The FFA’s objective has always been to ensure the survival of a club in North Queensland for the people of North Queensland,” said Ben Buckley, the chief executive of FFA.
“This remains our priority.
“The PFA’s action seeks to threaten the viability of the club.
“We don’t believe that is in the interests of the club, its players, the local community or the A-League as a whole.
“With the appointment of a CEO and a new head coach, Franz Straka, the club is building up to an exciting and competitive season, backed by the support of the people of North Queensland.
“We’re looking forward to seeing a strong Fury representing North Queensland this season, starting with its opening match against Perth.
“With the entry of new clubs such as Fury and Gold Coast last year and the Melbourne Heart this year, the A-League continues to grow and attract talented players from overseas as well as provide opportunities for Australian footballers to compete in a strong national league.”
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