Hakeem Al-Araibi
Looking forward to meeting with @fatma_samoura along with @BrendanSchwab tomorrow Monday at 12pm followed by media at FIFA House to discuss case of Hakeem al-Araibi, present circumstances and how we can all #SaveHakeem Thanks to everyone for your advocacy. Keep going ✊ — Craig Foster (@Craig_Foster) January 27, 2019
As Craig Foster and Brendan Schwab are due to meet FIFA CEO, Fatma Samoura, today in Zurich to hand over the petition that is actually addressed to Marise Payne (the Australian Foreign Minister) and to advocate for greater FIFA intervention in the case, the PFA has said that Shaikh Salman should not be on the ballot for the presidency of the Asian Football Confederation later this year, as he has done nothing to support the plight of Hakeem Al-Araibi. John Didulica says that Salman does not pass the FIFA test for a 'fit and proper' person.
Sorry JD: some of us have already had that battle when Salman was a FIFA Presidential candidate in 2016 – without any support from anyone in this country, and not FIFPro either – and Salman did pass the FIFA integrity test.
Meanwhile, Hakeem Al-Araibi remains in a Thai jail. We have written extensively about his unlawful detention, and explained the issues surrounding it back in December and why football must intervene in the case, which you can read here. All the best Craig and Brendan!
Our photo: the players of Chiang Rai FC, Thailand, showing their support for #SaveHakeem
Alen Stajcic
Speaking on 'The Ticket', an ABC radio show, FFA Chairman Chris Nikou says the entire Board “unanimously” stands behind the Alen Stajcic decision because it's a “private employment manner and we have gone as far as we can”. It was a sentiment echoed by Board member Joseph Carrozzi also (at least they've got some speaking notes now), who also revealed there would be no inquiry. Nikou said the decision came after “consultation with the management team based in part on surveys, but based in part of other information put before the board.”
This is complex. FFA acted in what we believe was the interests of the players. Some will accept it; others won’t accept it whatever the evidence. Can’t hold inquiry because this is a private employment matter and all parties need to be respected esp the former coach — Joseph Carrozzi (@JosephCarrozzi) January 26, 2019
Nikou also said that the Our Watch survey was a factor in Stajcic's sacking. ”It's a factor … it was only one of a number of items that the board took on board,” he said. Nikou also denied an anti-Stajcic faction of former players had led to his sacking. Meanwhile, FFA has been “swamped” with applications for Stajcic's old job.
Socceroos
A follow-up to the story about Mark Milligan contemplating ($) international retirement (also reported yesterday), with Graham Arnold talking about what a good leader is and he expects him to become a coach. Same report here.
And a different journo, but much the same story here.
A-League
Sunday's results see Perth Glory with 37 points, four points ahead of second placed Melbourne Victory which edges Sydney FC by one point. The top three are almost two wins ahead of fourth placed Melbourne City with 27 points, with Adelaide United and Wellington Phoenix rounding out the top six with 26 points each. Newcastle Jets is seventh, but with little hope of improving their position on the ladder, with 15 points.
Perth Glory, 2 v Newcastle Jets, 0
Neil Kilkenny and Andy Keogh ended Perth Glory's “goal drought” ($) but it was Diego Castro and Kilkenny who put on the “star display”. It spells the end of the season for Newcastle Jets who haven't found their form from last season. It also quotes Steve Corica saying Sydney FC “deserved to win” Saturday's match v Melbourne Victory. Similar report here.
Adelaide United, 2 v Central Coast Mariners, 1
The A-League/W-League 33 days of games completed its run on Sunday and Val Migliaccio writes that it was about time. George Blackwood’s stoppage-time winner was like a soothing balm to the “aches and pains” suffered by Adelaide with the schedule testing the not-very-cashed-up resources of the club. Migliaccio suggests the VAR must have been fatigued also with “a blatant handball” reviewed by the VAR without the referee being summoned to watch a replay.
The result was a “bitter end” for Central Coast Mariners, who opened the scoring with a long range curling strike from Andrew Hoole.
Brisbane Roar
No player signs-up to be in a team that languishes at the bottom of the league, and Adam Taggart is no exception, but he says the problems faced by Brisbane will help make him a better player and man. “These difficult times will help me in the future. When things are going well then everything will be even easier, so I’ve got to look at these opportunities to learn and grow.”
Melbourne City
Melbourne City are increasingly confident they will get the signature of Jamie Maclaren, and are “fuming” over the offside goal scored by Wellington Phoenix on the weekend. They play Sydney FC next.
Melbourne Victory
Swedish import, Ola Toivonen, has scored lots of goals but he was very pleased with his “set piece zinger” on Australia Day in the 'Big Blue'. Toivonen said that his fifth start in 22 days has given him the confidence he needs to get through the rest of the season, including Asian Champions League commitments, after early season injury.
Keisuke Honda is widely lauded as the best marquee player Melbourne Victory has had, but with Honda continuing on the injury list and Ola Toivonen playing so well, Toivonen may well give him a run for his money.
Sydney FC
Sydney FC are watching the clock as they look to sign Iranian striker Reza Ghoochannejhad, as well as as looking at other possibilities. Ghoochannejhad remains their preferred player as it would allow for four visa players in the ACL squad, due to his Asian status. The deadline is Thursday.
W-League
Melbourne Victory, 2 v Sydney FC, 2
Melbourne Victory came from behind twice for a 2-2 draw, with the point taking them to the top of the W-League standings on goal difference ahead of Brisbane Roar. Sydney FC and Perth Glory are in third and fourth spots (again on goal difference), both clubs one point behind the leaders.