For Love, Not Money

Sounder-down-Under is a look at the beautiful game from the other side of the world, written by Seattle ex-pat Drew Dickson.

As the Australian A-League begins to ramp up to the season’s first match on October 7th, all eyes are on Brisbane Roar who will face the Melbourne Victory in that opening match.

At the end of their 2015 campaign, the Roar paid off the wages of the players, but staff (both on an off field), were not paid. This might have been a blip on the radar or at least excused as a payment process error from a computer standpoint, had that not been the second instance in three months where players and staff went without a paycheck. It would not be until a month later that staff would see their wages come in.

One year on, and Brisbane faced the same battle, but this time the owners, Indonesia’s Bakrie Group, are claiming a computer glitch. In July, an estimated $1.1 million was injected into the club in an attempt to avert a repeat of the previous end of season fiasco. Club officials state that their war chest only received $405,000. That sum will barely cover operating costs at a club that is rapidly tredding on the good will of players in a competition that is seeing some younger players lured away to the massive banks of Chinese clubs.

Brisbane players have the support of each other and the fans, thankfully. (via ausports/com)

It also does not help that the club is attempting to move to the original grounds at Ballymore, with all the upgrading costs the pitch, stands, and facilities will require. Currently the club has be given loans from cash rich Queensland Rugby Union in order to get the move started.

The club’s Managing Director, Daniel Cobb met today with Football Federation Australia and Professional Footballers Australia (the players union) to discuss the treatment of the club by their owners and the potential implications of yet another failure to pay.

Cobb issued a statement through both the club and the FFA:

“I have briefed the FFA [Football Federation Australia] and PFA [Professional Footballers Australia] to assure them that player, coach and administration staff wages and superannuation are up to date. Today’s meeting with FFA was brought about by a default from the Bakrie Group on the recapitalisation of the club. I agreed to come in as Managing Director in order to stabilise the club on the condition that a 1.1 million dollar injection in to the club was provided on July 1st, 2016. As of today in regards to that payment, only $405,000 has been provided. This has a significant impact on the club moving forward and in particular our move to Ballymore. Discussions are now taking place with The Bakrie Group about how this situation will be rectified. I will keep all stakeholders including the FFA and PFA informed over the coming days.”

Supporters are calling for the removal of both Cobb and the Bakrie Group from the Roar all together, as well as a boycott of the first match of the 2016-17 season. It will be a shame if the first match is mared by such off-field antics. The club has been successful on the pitch, but is losing ground as attendance faltered last year as the side maintained pinned to the middle of the table. It did not help that cash woes made the club unable to entice or acquire any marqee mid season or off season playeres, while the likes of Melbourne City were able to lure former Everton/New York Red Bulls playmaker Tim Cahill back to Australia.