Background
In light of the public interest in who is in France at the 2019 World Cup at football's expense, we put some relevant questions to Football Federation Australia (FFA) on Saturday 8 June.
“Would be possible to have a list please of the people who have travelled to France for the World Cup, or meetings before, during or after the World Cup, which football in Australia has paid for either in whole, in part, or through the provision of tickets? We intend publishing this list should you agree to provide it. Our readers would find it helpful to know who the people are, how long they are in France, and what their role is while there. If the trip is funded as part of a sponsorship arrangement, could you also please indicate that? If you do not wish to provide it, could you please provide a reason as to why not … . For the sake of clarity, our request is exclusive of the Matildas squad (playing and non-playing staff).”
The level and number of staff and others attending major international events at football's expense has been an issue we have written about previously, but a whole new level of interest was raised via social media when deputy Chairman, Heather Reid, was observed in France towards the end of last week.
We also wrote following the FFA and Reid apology to terminated Matildas coach, Alen Stajcic, that not only should Reid be removed from the FFA Board – which only the Congress can do – but FFA should publish a list of who was going to France at football's expense, how long they were there for, the purpose of their visit, and whether their expenses were wholly or partially met by FFA, including the allocation of complimentary tickets.
FFA Board member, Remo Nogarotto, indicated via Twitter that he had no problem with this request but said it was in the purview of FFA management.
FFA responded late on Monday 10 June. Most readers will appreciate from the responses that we reproduce via copy and paste below, that they did not answer the questions. Accordingly, we asked some specific follow-up questions on the same day, and they have sent a response to those questions on Wednesday (12 June).
We appreciate the efforts of FFA's communications team in responding to the questions. Having said that, the questions have not been directly answered but we don't see this as a communications team issue, but one for FFA management. It's just as well they don't have the same level of accountability of government agencies or public companies: on paper, they are accountable to the FFA Congress but the Congress has form in not being interested in such matters.
The responses from FFA are reproduced here so our readers can make up their own minds based on the information provided.
Q&A with FFAFFA (10 June)Football Today (10 June)FFA (12 June)Further to your request, I can confirm that FFA undertakes a range of activities during the course of a FIFA World Cup. In the case of France 2019, FFA is administering a hospitality program for the families and friends of the Matildas whilst they are competing in the event. This ensures that players can concentrate on their performances in the knowledge that FFA is supporting and assisting families (including children) who are following them through the World Cup. The costs of the program are incurred by the players and their families.How many staff are working with the families? Who paid for them? Who are they?
There are two FFA staff administering the family and friends program for 35 people daily, rising to 125 on match day. FFA also hosts and administers a sponsor tour where corporate supporters of the Matildas are able to enjoy the experience of a FIFA World Cup as recognition of their significant investment in the game. The sponsor tour in France takes in the first two group stage matches. Families of tour participants are able to join at their own cost.How many staff are working with this tour? Who paid for them? Who are they? Could you also please confirm the name and number of the sponsors who are paid for (not the family participants paying their own way). There are two FFA staff administering the sponsor program with 5 partners represented on the program. Both programs are overseen by relevant members of the FFA executive.FIFA and other confederations also typically host a series of international gatherings in the lead-up to the World Cup. In this case, an AFC Extraordinary Congress, FIFA Ordinary Congress and FIFA International Women’s Convention were all held in the week leading up to the opening match. These events were attended by a delegation of senior FFA officials. Travel and accommodation costs for the delegation are borne by FIFA/AFC.How many staff attended the AFC Congress, the FIFA Congress and the Women’s Convention? Who were they in each case? Now that those conventions are over, have they returned to Australia? If so, when? If not, who is paying for them to remain in France? 3 delegates attended the AFC and FIFA Congresses. 2 further delegates attended the Women’s Football Convention.FIFA is also hosting workshops for bidding nations for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Members of the bid team are participating in these workshops which also require presentations to be given on the status of the bid. An observer program is also taking place. Costs of accommodation are borne by FIFA for this activity.The observer tour is paid for by FIFA, but the workshop participants are not? Is that correct? How many staff took part in the workshops and presentation? Who are they? How many staff are on the observer tour? Who are they? How many days did the workshop and presentation take? Have the staff returned? The bidder workshops (which are funded by FIFA) will take place in the coming week. They will be attended by 3 FFA representatives.
Heather Reid is in France in her private capacity. She is covering the cost of her own flights and accommodation. She was invited by FIFA to attend its Women’s Football Convention.
We didn’t ask about Ms Reid, but thank you for the information. Considering her status as deputy Chairman, why did either FIFA or FFA not pay for her? In light of her apology to Mr Alen Stajcic admitting that she got it wrong, does FFA think it appropriate for FIFA to have invited her? Now that the Convention is over, has Ms Reid returned? If not, are her continuing costs being met by FIFA, FFA or in a private capacity? Did she attend the FIFA Congress? Who provided the tickets for her to attend games? FFA?
How many state federation members or representatives are attending the World Cup please, and who are they?Such activity is standard practice for participating member associations in major competitions. The activities are designed to develop relationships in the interests of the advancement of the sport.
It should be noted that, following a report in Nine Fairfax press late on 10 June by Michael Lynch confirming that FFA was not paying for Reid, people familiar with the way FIFA conventions work have contacted us to say that Reid's attendance at the 'global women's convention' would have been funded by FIFA or AFC, if not FFA, as an individual is unable to attend in a private capacity and without FIFA agreement. We have not had an opportunity to dismiss or confirm this claim, other than to note it is the understanding of multiple people with experience in this area.
We note that Ms Reid's lanyard stated 'FIFA Guest'.
