The clubs which snubbed the official National Premier League Victoria (NPLV) model say they have been told by Football Federation Australia (FFA) to prepare for a new competition in 2014, and to announce successful applicants for next year’s league themselves.
The clubs believe that they will be in a position to announce the licencees for the league by the end of next week.
The revelation comes from a meeting among the clubs in Coburg last night, which media was invited to attend.
South Melbourne director Tom Kalas and GPZ Legal’s Nick Galatas spoke for the majority of the hour-long presentation, with zone representative and Hume City’s Ezel Hikmet speaking also.
Kalas claims that FFA are committed to implementing the new league in 2014, despite a court injunction which prevents the Football Federation Victoria (FFV) from doing the same thing.
“We are currently working very closely with the FFA,” Kalas began by saying.
“They’ve asked us, and we’re going to say to everyone in this room that we need to prepare for the NPLV for next year – may no mistake in that at all.
“The clubs in the top 24 ranking at the moment will be contacted by us to say “can you comply with [the NPLV] criteria?” If yes, you’re an NPL club next season, so you can go hire your coaches and technical directors.
“Next, the FFA has asked us to make sure that we’re tight and we proceed to plan for the NPLV next year – that’s critical.
“They are very confident to proceed and so are we.
“So next week, the end of next week, we’re going to announce the 24 clubs in the NPLV and NPL1 … so please, get your coaches licences.”
“The FFA have asked us to look at implementing NPLV for next year.”
Comment has been sought from Football Federation Australia.
Football Federation Victoria was offered an opportunity to comment on any aspect of the situation, but believed it was appropriate that MFootball direct its FFA questions direct to FFA only.
http://www.mfootball.com.au/clubs-weve-got-ffa-authority-to-carry-out-nplv/