midfielder
Well-Known Member
http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/a-league/we-cant-go-cold-on-expansion/2009/08/21/1250362213063.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
August 22, 2009
Frank Lowy is keen on a second division, thinks Sydney is ready for another A-League team and is eyeing a place in the second round for the Socceroos at the World Cup. He speaks to Michael Cockerill.
Q Two rounds into the new season, what are your impressions, particularly about crowds?
A. It's too early to make a judgment. No doubt about that. You're still in the midst of the other codes, although we shouldn't be worried about that. Eventually we won't be. Would it have been better having 25,000 people in Melbourne, 20,000 in Sydney, maybe 15,000 in Townsville? Yes, it would have been better. We didn't have it. But we need to be more patient.
Q. What about the two new clubs, North Queensland and Gold Coast? They've taken vastly different approaches.
A. It's very interesting, actually. A bit of colour at both ends, it will be good for us. A bit of controversy - although I'm not a person who likes controversy - can make life more interesting.
Q. Speaking of controversy, what about Clive Palmer? He seems to be having a running battle with the FFA.
A. I know him a bit. I like him. He's putting his money where his mouth is. Basically, he's very determined to have a good team. Over time, we'll get a bit more co-operative with each other. We're not perfect. The FFA is not perfect, you can say that. Neither is he. We need to work together. To adjust to each other. But on the other side, he came into the game, signed an agreement and it means what it says. So he has to abide by that.
Q. The existing licences are up at the end of this season. In particular, Wellington Phoenix are nervous about their future following the stand taken by [Asian Football Confederation president] Mohamed Bin Hammam. Can you give Wellington any assurances?
A. I can give Wellington the assurance we will try our hardest, our damnedest, to keep them in the competition. But it's not in my power, totally. FIFA says one thing, for certain [that Wellington should remain], the AFC says another [that Wellington should be kicked out], so we need to sort it out They've got good management, good crowds, they get good results. It would be bad for the game overall if we didn't have a team like that.
Q. Next week, the board will make a decision on the 12th licence. Are you getting cold feet on expansion?
A. We can't have cold feet on expansion. We just can't. I mean, look at how many teams Japan has, Korea has. They all have a lot more. There are a number of reasons we need to expand We have a good competition, but we need to build it for quality, quantity, and crowds. These things will happen.
Q. Will the 12th licence go to a second Sydney team? Can Sydney FC handle the competition?
A. There will be a second team in Sydney. It's not up to Sydney FC, it's the FFA's decision. We made that decision a long time ago, and it will happen.
Q. Any chance of a 12th and 13th [Canberra] licence being issued at the same time?
A. Unlikely.
Q. Does going to 12 teams open the door for free-to-air television?
A. We have a contract now, until 2013. I'll do my damndest to make sure we get free-to-air after that. We can't do it beforehand. These people [Fox Sports] are not going to give up. They came in and took a punt, a big punt, they gave us the basis for the competition. They're not going to give up their contractual rights, and I don't blame them for it. But the future needs more teams, a second division, and also some free-to-air.
Q. How important is a second division competition to you?
A. We need a second division for promotion and relegation. That is the lifeblood of football everywhere. We will have to have it eventually. There is a time frame, but I don't want to articulate it. It's not urgent, but it's necessary.
Q. Does going to 12 A-League teams guarantee more spots in the Asian Champions League?
A. I believe so. It's a big reason to have 12 teams, but it's not the only reason.
Q. Speaking of Asia, have things settled down after the bitter battle between Mohamed Bin Hammam and Sheikh Salman?
A. I was in Kuala Lumpur a few weeks ago, and I talk to the president regularly. These things happen from time to time. It was a close call, but it has settled down.
Q. English Premier League clubs were again in Asia for their pre-season tours. What's your view of the EPL's plans to have a 39th game in Asia?
A. I'm opposed to that. Absolutely. The national competitions belong to the national associations. We can't interrupt our own competitions because two foreign teams want to come and enhance their own competitions.
Q. Australia is still one of five Asian bidders for the World Cup. Does this impact on our chances, or do you think we'll eventually get a consensus, in other words, a single Asian bid?
A. Eventually. The other bids, I don't want to detract from them, their right, or ability, but hopefully there will be a consensus.
Q. So how is the bid going?
A. Sometimes I get a bit insecure, because it goes up and down like a yo-yo. But we have a good chance, we have a good chance for 2018.
Q. You're very careful what you say about the World Cup bid, but can you tell us how important it was that Kevin Rudd went to Zurich recently to meet Sepp Blatter?
A. The basic ingredient for any bid is the full support of your own country. There's no doubt about it now, that there is full support. That was articulated very well by Kevin Rudd to Sepp Blatter.
Q. On national building, you need to finalise the stadiums by the end of the year. Will you resolve the problems in Adelaide and Perth?
A. I believe they will be resolved, and will be part of the bid. No city can afford not to be part of it. Football can afford it, but the state can't afford to be left out. I know the Federal Government is determined, and I rely on that knowledge. The two cities will resolve their issues, whatever they are.
Q. Speaking of World Cups, we've qualified comfortably for 2010. You must think you made the right call on Pim Verbeek?
A. I'm happy about the coach, but I'm happy about many things that happened in the last six years.
Q. Any chance of Pim continuing after the World Cup?
A. I don't think we need to speculate. We need to make a decision jointly, mutually, when the time comes. He's here, he's doing a good job, we certainly hope to go beyond the first round. Decisions should be made at the right time. Not too late, not too early.
Q. So what are your benchmarks for the Socceroos in South Africa?
A. I hope to go to the second round. One day, somebody sitting in my position, will say they hope to go to the final. In Australia, in 2018.
Q. Finally, what are your plans? You turn 80 next year, you're up for [FFA] re-election in 2011, are you going to stay on, or do you have a succession plan?
A. All of the above. I will work as long as I can. If they want me, and I'm well enough, I will stay.
August 22, 2009
Frank Lowy is keen on a second division, thinks Sydney is ready for another A-League team and is eyeing a place in the second round for the Socceroos at the World Cup. He speaks to Michael Cockerill.
Q Two rounds into the new season, what are your impressions, particularly about crowds?
A. It's too early to make a judgment. No doubt about that. You're still in the midst of the other codes, although we shouldn't be worried about that. Eventually we won't be. Would it have been better having 25,000 people in Melbourne, 20,000 in Sydney, maybe 15,000 in Townsville? Yes, it would have been better. We didn't have it. But we need to be more patient.
Q. What about the two new clubs, North Queensland and Gold Coast? They've taken vastly different approaches.
A. It's very interesting, actually. A bit of colour at both ends, it will be good for us. A bit of controversy - although I'm not a person who likes controversy - can make life more interesting.
Q. Speaking of controversy, what about Clive Palmer? He seems to be having a running battle with the FFA.
A. I know him a bit. I like him. He's putting his money where his mouth is. Basically, he's very determined to have a good team. Over time, we'll get a bit more co-operative with each other. We're not perfect. The FFA is not perfect, you can say that. Neither is he. We need to work together. To adjust to each other. But on the other side, he came into the game, signed an agreement and it means what it says. So he has to abide by that.
Q. The existing licences are up at the end of this season. In particular, Wellington Phoenix are nervous about their future following the stand taken by [Asian Football Confederation president] Mohamed Bin Hammam. Can you give Wellington any assurances?
A. I can give Wellington the assurance we will try our hardest, our damnedest, to keep them in the competition. But it's not in my power, totally. FIFA says one thing, for certain [that Wellington should remain], the AFC says another [that Wellington should be kicked out], so we need to sort it out They've got good management, good crowds, they get good results. It would be bad for the game overall if we didn't have a team like that.
Q. Next week, the board will make a decision on the 12th licence. Are you getting cold feet on expansion?
A. We can't have cold feet on expansion. We just can't. I mean, look at how many teams Japan has, Korea has. They all have a lot more. There are a number of reasons we need to expand We have a good competition, but we need to build it for quality, quantity, and crowds. These things will happen.
Q. Will the 12th licence go to a second Sydney team? Can Sydney FC handle the competition?
A. There will be a second team in Sydney. It's not up to Sydney FC, it's the FFA's decision. We made that decision a long time ago, and it will happen.
Q. Any chance of a 12th and 13th [Canberra] licence being issued at the same time?
A. Unlikely.
Q. Does going to 12 teams open the door for free-to-air television?
A. We have a contract now, until 2013. I'll do my damndest to make sure we get free-to-air after that. We can't do it beforehand. These people [Fox Sports] are not going to give up. They came in and took a punt, a big punt, they gave us the basis for the competition. They're not going to give up their contractual rights, and I don't blame them for it. But the future needs more teams, a second division, and also some free-to-air.
Q. How important is a second division competition to you?
A. We need a second division for promotion and relegation. That is the lifeblood of football everywhere. We will have to have it eventually. There is a time frame, but I don't want to articulate it. It's not urgent, but it's necessary.
Q. Does going to 12 A-League teams guarantee more spots in the Asian Champions League?
A. I believe so. It's a big reason to have 12 teams, but it's not the only reason.
Q. Speaking of Asia, have things settled down after the bitter battle between Mohamed Bin Hammam and Sheikh Salman?
A. I was in Kuala Lumpur a few weeks ago, and I talk to the president regularly. These things happen from time to time. It was a close call, but it has settled down.
Q. English Premier League clubs were again in Asia for their pre-season tours. What's your view of the EPL's plans to have a 39th game in Asia?
A. I'm opposed to that. Absolutely. The national competitions belong to the national associations. We can't interrupt our own competitions because two foreign teams want to come and enhance their own competitions.
Q. Australia is still one of five Asian bidders for the World Cup. Does this impact on our chances, or do you think we'll eventually get a consensus, in other words, a single Asian bid?
A. Eventually. The other bids, I don't want to detract from them, their right, or ability, but hopefully there will be a consensus.
Q. So how is the bid going?
A. Sometimes I get a bit insecure, because it goes up and down like a yo-yo. But we have a good chance, we have a good chance for 2018.
Q. You're very careful what you say about the World Cup bid, but can you tell us how important it was that Kevin Rudd went to Zurich recently to meet Sepp Blatter?
A. The basic ingredient for any bid is the full support of your own country. There's no doubt about it now, that there is full support. That was articulated very well by Kevin Rudd to Sepp Blatter.
Q. On national building, you need to finalise the stadiums by the end of the year. Will you resolve the problems in Adelaide and Perth?
A. I believe they will be resolved, and will be part of the bid. No city can afford not to be part of it. Football can afford it, but the state can't afford to be left out. I know the Federal Government is determined, and I rely on that knowledge. The two cities will resolve their issues, whatever they are.
Q. Speaking of World Cups, we've qualified comfortably for 2010. You must think you made the right call on Pim Verbeek?
A. I'm happy about the coach, but I'm happy about many things that happened in the last six years.
Q. Any chance of Pim continuing after the World Cup?
A. I don't think we need to speculate. We need to make a decision jointly, mutually, when the time comes. He's here, he's doing a good job, we certainly hope to go beyond the first round. Decisions should be made at the right time. Not too late, not too early.
Q. So what are your benchmarks for the Socceroos in South Africa?
A. I hope to go to the second round. One day, somebody sitting in my position, will say they hope to go to the final. In Australia, in 2018.
Q. Finally, what are your plans? You turn 80 next year, you're up for [FFA] re-election in 2011, are you going to stay on, or do you have a succession plan?
A. All of the above. I will work as long as I can. If they want me, and I'm well enough, I will stay.
