Relegation, The Fastrack To Disaster

I go overseas for three days and a severe case of insanity breaks out.

With the release of the details for the revamp of the AFC Champions League and the assessment of the A-league’s position within the pecking order of Asian domestic competitions it was enviable that the FFA would comment on the promotion/relegation issue.

For all of the ‘B’ ratings we received all but one can be resolved with a introduction of a separate body to manage and control the A-league. I am sure the FFA will look to introduce something around this space within the next two to three years. The one issue that sticks out however is the requirement to have a promotion/relegation system for the domestic competition.

Frank Lowry has come out and stated that Australia must have a P/R system sooner than later. Really? Why have we not heard this before if it is so crucial? I find is fanciful to even consider a P/R system when we have only one team in the current eight team comp is making a profit. It is bordering on financial negligence to even think we could introduce a second tier at this stage.

Bearing this in mind, is Frank really just giving lip service to this idea for the benefit of the AFC ? It would seem so as I cannot imagine any sane person would think this would be possible within the next 20 years of the game here in Australia.

If though the FFA are serious about this it raises some serious concerns. Where would the money come from to run a second tier (it is not as if TV rights would be offered to broadcast the games) and I am sure the franchises that have paid 4-6 million to join the A-League couldn’t be too happy to hear that they may lose their spot through one bad year. A-league clubs are opnly in their infancy and to hit them that hard this early in the game would result in sponsors and fans could deserting the club in droves.

For the long term benefit of the game in this country I dearly hope that Frank is just giving the AFC Delegates what they want to hear and the FFA truly has no intention of implementing such a ridiculous scheme.