Soccer: Aussie league plans under pressure from the clubs

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Cracks are continuing to appear in the planned Australian league, leaving the Football Kingz and other franchises increasingly edgy.

The high-profile Adelaide United bid has been withdrawn, and backer Gordon Pickard has cited several issues with the Australian Soccer Association for the move.

Adelaide and Perth were seen as cornerstone clubs for the new eight-team competition. Along with the Kingz and Newcastle they were guaranteed places as the only bidders from their respective cities.

But Adelaide, with A$4 million backing from Pickard, had asked the ASA for answers to 32 key issues. After eight weeks of negotiations, the parties apparently still could not agree on two fundamental points - which neither party was prepared to discuss.

Football Kingz chairman Anthony Lee said he was sure Adelaide United's decision to walk away would be a big blow to the ASA.

"Like all clubs, we will be affected by some of the decisions the ASA have taken," said Lee. "Adelaide, who attract crowds of 15,000 to their home games are, like Perth, seen as a high-profile bidder."

Lee said there was also concern at reports the ASA was taking a controlling 52 per cent shareholding in the Sydney FC bid, with plans to sell its shares at a later date.

The remaining 48 per cent shareholding would be split 50-50 with backer Peter Turnbull and Soccer NSW.

In a report in the Daily Telegraph, Soccer NSW said it believed it had answered all questions about governance. It was becoming fed up with the ASA's treatment and how its original shares had been reduced from 100 per cent to 24 per cent.

Lee said there was mounting concern over issues such as signs at match venues.

The Australian Premier League - the body set to manage the new competition - wants to control 20 signs at each ground.

Adelaide United contend that this - coupled with the guarantees it has given the South Australian Government for eight signs, and a further six given to the South Australian Soccer Federation for the use of Hindmarsh Stadium at "favourable rates" - will mean an immediate loss for the club of A$340,000.

Adelaide is also asking questions about the A$1 million fee it must pay. And it has suggested the league should be run over 28 rather than 21 rounds, with 14 home and away games.

ASA chief executive John O'Neill, who has copped plenty of flak since switching to soccer from the Australian Rugby Union, told SBS that he "wouldn't be going cap in hand" to ask Adelaide to rethink.

"Obviously, we are disappointed Adelaide have pulled out. There is still quite a lot of negotiating going on," he said. "Things like losing signage is going to have an affect on all of us.

"We just want to see the [selection] process out of the way and get on with it. No one wants to go 18 months without kicking a football."