The view from the Chair: FA’s cash grab, a new digital home and the ongoing push against the exporting of football

It’s been another active and productive period for the FSAA, and I’m pleased to see the new committee is now fully settled in. They have brought a renewed vigour and a wealth of ideas to our central task: representing football supporters.

Our focus remains crystal clear: strengthening the voice of fans at every level of the game, from grassroots pitches and NPL terraces to the professional leagues and our national teams.

Our New Digital Home

A significant milestone this month is the launch of our new website. As many of you have seen, it’s now live, and this platform is a cornerstone of our strategy to improve and broaden our communication with the entire football community.

It’s more than just a new coat of paint; we need a strong, central, and independent platform to house our official submissions, share updates, and host discussions.

While it remains a constant work in progress, we are excited about its potential to evolve into a central hub for information, robust discussion, and essential resources for Australian (and Kiwi) football supporters. We encourage you to explore it and welcome any feedback as we continue to build it out.

Holding FA Accountable on the 'FA+' Fee

Now, to a significant point of concern. You will have seen Football Australia’s recent announcement of a $99 annual fee for its new FA+ membership program.

We believe this is little more than a poorly disguised cash grab, targeting the pockets of the most loyal Australian football fans.

The fact that Football Australia announced this significant fee before it had even finalised or clearly articulated the associated benefits speaks volumes and shows a clear disconnect from the supporter base. Fans are not a "revenue stream" to be tapped at will; we are the lifeblood of the game.

Fair to say, we are not taking this lying down. The FSAA has formally written to Football Australia asking them to reverse this decision and reconsider their entire approach to fan engagement.

We will, of course, keep all our members updated on their response.

Opposing the Export of Domestic Football

You may also have seen media discussions around the potential for a domestic Serie A fixture to be played in Perth.

While we still await official approval from FIFA and Football Australia, the FSAA has a clear and firm stance on this: we are fundamentally opposed to the exportation of domestic league matches.

Domestic football belongs in the home stadiums of the communities those clubs represent. This trend sets a dangerous precedent that prioritises broadcast revenue over the loyalty of local fans and the integrity of the competition.

We have made our firm opposition known to both Football Australia and the Western Australian Government, and we stand in solidarity with Football Supporters Europe and millions of fans worldwide who are fighting to protect the soul of the game.

Progress with FA and the APL

This advocacy work is part of our broader and ongoing engagement. Efforts are still being made and constructive discussions are still being had following our formal submissions of key recommendations to both Football Australia and the APL.

This kind of foundational work takes time, and progress can be frustratingly slow, but I am pleased to report that we are making small but steady progress in a number of key areas.

We are committed to building a productive, long-term dialogue where the supporter perspective is considered an essential part of the decision-making process, not an afterthought.

On the Pitch..

Of course, all this work is in service of the game we love, and it’s a fantastic time on the pitch. Both the men’s and women’s A-Leagues are now fully underway, providing drama and excitement each week.

Furthermore, the inaugural Championship (National Second Tier) is about to enter its historic first finals period – I wish the best of luck to all those that follow the finals-bound teams.

On the international front, our two senior national teams are now just months away from their respective major tournaments – the AFC Women's Asian Cup and the Men’s World Cup.

This means lots of top-class football for fans to attend, watch, and no doubt analyse until you go red/blue/other colour in the face. It’s a great reminder of the passion that fuels our work.

Thank you for your continued support. Every single (free) membership adds weight to our voice when we sit down with the game's administrators.

My thanks also go to the entire committee for their volunteer hours and dedication.

Until next month,

Patrick Clancy
Chair
Football Supporters Association Australia (Inc)