Australia NewsA2-League 'Vital', Says Lowy |
FFA CHAIRMAN Frank Lowy has flagged an A-League second division in the future, saying promotion and relegation is a vital part of any competitive league.
Addressing a Melbourne Victory business luncheon, Lowy said that while FFA was mindful of the precarious state of some of the current A-League clubs, it would continue its expansion push and, in the medium-term future, wanted to introduce a second division in order to ensure a truly national competition.
"We need to support teams by developing a second division which can allow for promotion and relegation, which is the lifeblood of national football competitions around the world," he said.
"Some people might have suggested that this might be growing the league too quickly. I accept that there is a risk, and I know better than anyone else how fragile some of our existing A-League clubs are.
"But we could not continue forever with an eight-team competition and be taken seriously in world football.
"The larger competition will generate greater interest around the country, not just in isolated pockets of Australia, but a truly national game."
Lowy said the addition of second teams in Melbourne and Sydney over the next two years would create the first true A-League derbies, which he said was an essential component of any major league.
"Derbies hold a special place in football culture around the world,: said Lowy. "The rivalry that will build between the two teams from Melbourne and the two teams from Sydney will be very exciting events.
"The rivalry now between Sydney and Melbourne is exciting enough."
Lowy was questioned by attendees at the corporate event about the possible divisive nature of the establishment of a second Melbourne team from next season. He said that he believes the Heart franchise will challenge Victory to grow as a club and that can only be a good thing.
He added: "Had I been concerned about divisiveness, we would not have suggested two teams.
"I think Melbourne has proven itself that it can support two teams. It can create a rivalry and I would hope and expect that the spectators will grow as a result of that.
"A little bit of competition is not a bad thing. I believe and I hope we have not been wrong to do that and that game will be more popular as a result."
Lowy outlined his vision beyond the 12th A-League team, saying the competition would not be considered truly national until it could move into areas currently not aligned with an A-League team. That appeared an endorsement to the aspiring bids of the likes of Canberra and Tasmania.
"It's a vision that I have," he said. "We are a long way from the 13th and 14th team, but I hope that we will be able to put these two teams to the parts of the country where we will have no football.
"Football is an international game, played around the world and I want to see all of Australia covered with our game."
Meanwhile, Lowy admitted that the scheduling of the start of the A-League season in early August this year was a mistake and that FFA was looking at options of pushing the season start back so it didn't clash with the AFL and NRL.
He conceded: "I think there is a certain amount of trial an error (in fixturing). I think we now recognise that we need to start the league somewhat later than what we have before."
Have YOUR say - What do you think about "A2-League 'Vital', Says Lowy"? Tell us NOW in the comment section below.
