Griffin slams FFA over Asian import quota

Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin has slammed Football Federation Australia (FFA) over its intention to make Asian players a compulsory feature of the A-League's foreign contingent.

A fuming Griffin claimed clubs are stridently opposed to FFA's decision to introduce a four plus one quota rule from the 2018-19 season, and accused the governing body of acting on political motivations.

The pending change, confirmed by FFA chief executive David Gallop and subject to final review at the end of 2017-18, will not impact clubs' current quota of five foreigners but means one of those players must come from an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) members federation.

It will move Australia's top tier in line with other AFC competitions and force A-League clubs to scour the continent for talent.

"There is strident objection from the clubs to any change to the existing visa rules," Griffin told AAP.

"That objection will remain; we see absolutely no point in going 4+1 and compromising the product we provide in some attempt to curry favour with the AFC.

"It's ultimately a fruitless exercise because the problems between FFA and the AFC run far deeper than the composition of our visa players."

The concept has long caused friction.

FFA is keen to align with Asian football, where the Asian Champions League operates on a 3+1 rule, while attracting more interest from overseas TV markets.

But only two clubs - Western Sydney and Newcastle - currently have an Asian player on their books and there's concern the move would dilute the league's growing quality, with the continent's ever-inflating wages rendering it tough to afford top Asian stars.

"That is in no small way due to the completely insufficient distribution of revenues that have flowed to the clubs under the FFA administration which is now the subject of review," Griffin said.

It's understood FFA discussed the issue at length with chairmen last October, before telling CEOs at a meeting in Melbourne the following month.

There was a mixed response but strong enough collective opposition that FFA promised to "prudently review the implementation" at the end of the 2017-18 season before making a final decision.

Griffin said that "unsatisfactory" compromise would not be accepted and foreshadowed a response from the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association, which represents all 10 clubs and of which he is chair.

Sydney FC chief executive Tony Pignata called for more dialogue on the issue.

"It has been suggested but nothing formal has come from FFA advising clubs that it is being introduced," Pignata said.

"We as clubs would still like the opportunity to discuss this proposal with FFA."

The news comes amid reports the Chinese Football Association is set to reduce to three the number of foreign players Chinese Super League teams are allowed to field in each match.

The pending rule change has already delayed James Holland's transfer from the Reds to Liaoning Whowin and could threaten the careers of other Australian players in China.

©AAP2017

http://wwos.nine.com.au/2017/01/16/13/57/a-league-to-adopt-asian-import-quota-rule

I laud his slam and use of the "curry" when discussing Asia.

It's ultimately a fruitless exercise

(and yes I know Tomato is a fruit)




Also

 GRIFFIN = WHINGER

completely insufficient distribution of revenues that have flowed to the clubs under the FFA administration

Rumbling rumbles on

Has he liked anything the FFA have done ever?

3+1 would be bad. 4+1 is the right move. Aligns up better with the confederation, allows for teams in the league to not have to exclude two visa players for AFC. Wouldnt someone like Griffin welcome this as this would give his club more ties to Asia? From an owner point of view opening contacts in Asia would be good?

How many clubs have 5 quality foreigners anyway. 4 is enough as i think Afc players will be too expensive. Hopefully an extra spot for a Aussie.

With all those technically proficient asian youth players regularly outperforming our youth,surely each HAL team can find one asian player Worthy of a spot.When you consider so many of the current Visa players warming benches here,maybe teams here just need better talent scouts in asia.

Griffin comes across as the greatest whinging arse in the country.  Maybe he will go back to AFL soon where that shit is lauded.

One third of the Australian Clubs are owned by Asian interests.  The  League's major sponsor is Asian.  The League winners are invited to play in the Asian Champions League where genuine status and fair money resides.  Griffin's anti-Asian stance should bite him on his whinging arse.

Having 5 visa spots dont "block" an aussie from signing. Nobody is forced to use them all. Roar are only using 3 visa spots, Sydney FC used 4 until the recent signing, Adelaide use 4.
 
Last season Jets, Glory, Nux and Melbourne City had 4 on their books. 

Griffin is jealous as he isn't making as much money as he wants selling AUFC players.

You'd think the CEO of first Australian club to make the ACL final would understand the benefits of closer integration with Asia, but that provincial mindset runs deep out there in SA, I guess.

Laziest fucking club in the league.

farken this guy is an embarrassment sometimes to our club.... Ask the north adelaide football club ( sanfl ) what they thought of Griffins tenure there.... 

"That objection will remain; we see absolutely no point in going 4+1 and compromising the product we provide in some attempt to curry favour with the AFC.

"It's ultimately a fruitless exercise because the problems between FFA and the AFC run far deeper than the composition of our visa players."

In other words he is saying Australian players are shit.

I agree does this guy ever shut up?? How about he actually pulls out his wallet for a change and actually bring in some top.talent rather than c9nstantly scraping by using the absolute minimum the cap allows and rely on the good will.of the fans to.show up week.in week out. He wants a new stadium but meanwhile he can barely get hindmarsh filled week in week out. Bring in a real marquee and see the place swell. 

"Adelaide United chairman Greg Griffin has slammed Football Federation Australia (FFA) over its intention to make Asian players a compulsory feature of the A-League's foreign contingent.
A fuming Griffin claimed clubs are stridently opposed to FFA's decision to introduce a four plus one quota rule from the 2018-19 season, and accused the governing body of acting on political motivations.
The pending change, confirmed by FFA chief executive David Gallop and subject to final review at the end of 2017-18, will not impact clubs' current quota of five foreigners but means one of those players must come from an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) members federation.
It will move Australia's top tier in line with other AFC competitions and force A-League clubs to scour the continent for talent.
"There is strident objection from the clubs to any change to the existing visa rules," Griffin told AAP.
"That objection will remain; we see absolutely no point in going 4+1 and compromising the product we provide in some attempt to curry favour with the AFC.

Im starting to think this man is a bit racist.

Also he tends to disagree with almost anything the FFA does, from this to even last week with the olyroos tournament situation, he isnt the type of person who could help grow the game. 

Adelaide used 5 until La Rocca became an Aussie and are almost certain to sign a fifth this transfer period so probably don't belong on the your list. Also had Danny Choi as an injury replacement visa player for a brief period.

And this is why running the A-league independently at this stage is still problematic. We have some stabilty with owners but unanimous decisions for the greater good of the league would be problematic. Investors are more confident in the game and giving guys like Sage or Griffin free range would only turn other investors away.

australian clubs are really going to struggle to get value for money with a plus 1 from asia considering the stupid amounts of money that china are throwing at mediocrity at the moment.

Agree, but it also shows why we need promotion and relegation.

The franchise owners don't get punished for failure and not rewarded for innovation other than the bottom line. Thus is not Football Culture to the World's Gold standard.

I really can't stand him at our club

Here we go again...everyone rags on Griffin for saying what most other people (owners specifically)want to say.

How does everyone continue to ignore the fact he was elected chairman of this owners board thing and is asked to speak on their behalf.

He may enjoy the spotlight a bit too much (and i certainly do have issues with some things he has done at United down the years) and maybe not EVERY owner agrees 100% with what he says but everyone really does ignore this fact no matter how many times it's mentioned in the articles.

If he has not been directly asked to make all these comments lately, taking shots at FFA, then the other owners certainly don't all disagree or he would not be chair....

Think boys....

Where to even begin with this post....

Davide, that's fine but he is very aggressive, it's embarrassing. Look at pignata's composed response as a better example. Griffin comes across as if he has a negative ffa agenda (and maybe he does).

Is he acting on behalf of the other clubs as chairman of the Australian Professional Football Clubs Association, or is this just his opinion?

LOL, sik 'em rex

It irritates me. The other non-sequitur is Griffin being tight and somehow taking money out of the club.

Missed Davo's post which pretty much says that :laugh:

Doubt it , and I'm not surprised.  Often wonder why he's still around.

He seems to have taken over from Sage since the Cap-Rort deal muzzled him.

In the Centralised Guest Marquee fund we trust

There there goes all prospects of the Australian youth Teams and Socceroos performing well.