FFA CEO Ben Buckley has poured cold water on suggestions that it might take his resignation for Hunter Sports Group to stand by the commitment to Newcastle Jets.
FFA CEO Ben Buckley has poured cold water on suggestions that it might take his resignation for Hunter Sports Group to stand by the commitment to Newcastle Jets.
Talking to Fox Sports FC from the Hyundai A-League Awards, Buckley said any decision on his future would be taken by the FFA board, and not disgruntled owners.
“It-s important to make the point that the FFA board and management hire and fire CEOs, not the Hunter Sports Group.
“But I don-t think that-s their issue – I think they want a greater voice in the way certain decisions are made. we have said we-ll sit down and talk to them and if they-re not prepared to take up that invitation from Frank Lowy and myself, I don-t think they-re in the position to call those shots from afar.”
Buckley also said FFA would continue to explore every avenue to ensure the Jets- future, pursing a resolution with HSG first, and not ruling out legal action at a later date.
“These are issues we need to work through. We want a team in Newcastle, football fans in the Newcastle region want a team. We would hope in the first place that the issues are resolved with the Hunter Sports Group, if they can-t be then we would be taking a look at all our legal options and pursuing a team and a new structure for that team.”
Responding to suggestions that other club owners are dissatisfied with the current structure, Buckley said Perth Glory Tony Sage planned to stick with the club, despite claiming he was ready to walk away in a recent outburst.
“I-ve spoken to Tony in recent weeks and he-s assured us of his commitment to the club. all clubs in all competitions in all codes have issues that they want dealt with in a particular way and there will always be confrontation from time to time. Tony-s committed as he-s ever been.”
Buckley also struck a defiant figure in his speech at the Awards, held at Doltone House in Sydney.
“We will protect the game and its interests and we do intend to have a ten team competition next year. Don-t lose sight of the big picture. One large piece of the jigsaw was put in place last week
“Yes, it has taken some time to get the model right, but we believe we have got the model right and we believe our time is now.
“Make no mistake this represents a major investment by FFA in the future of the game and on behalf of the game, it is a demonstration of the game-s confidence.
“For our nation this will be about the football century. Our time is coming and our fundamental position is very strong.”
