Raw deal for fans as Brisbane suffers double ACL trouble

A fan backlash looms for Brisbane Roar after being forced to move its AFC Asian Champions League games to the Gold Coast.

Roar fans

Brisbane chiefs are expecting a fan backlash of being forced to switch its home ACL group games to the Gold Coast (AAP)


Roar managing director Sean Dobson admitted the A-League champion expected to cop flak from supporters after announcing the Gold Coast would host its three ACL pool matches due to a clash with a Foo Fighters concert at Suncorp Stadium.

Under Asian Football Confederation rules, all three ACL pool matches must be played at the same venue.

"The Foo Fighters concert was booked in 2013 - the ACL draw was only completed in December 2014, and unfortunately it was a clash," Dobson said.

The Roar has combined with the Gold Coast Council to offer free public transport from Brisbane and reduced ticket prices.

Meanwhile, another battle lies ahead for the Roar after calls for its 15 March A-League fixture against Sydney FC to be rescheduled fell on deaf ears at the FFA.

The Roar wants the fixture played at least one day earlier to give it time to prepare for the 17 March ACL clash with Korea Republic's Suwon Bluewings.

The club also has ACL games against a yet-to-be determined opponent on 25 February 25 and Japanese giant Urawa Red Diamonds on 5 May on the Gold Coast.

Dobson cut a frustrated figure on Monday, suggesting that the FFA had helped the likes of Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers with scheduling in their past ACL campaigns.

"You've got the FFA supporting a Sydney club to the detriment of other clubs," he said.

"They put Central Coast in a similar position last season. We've seen the FFA come out and significantly support Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney in their campaigns.

"It is one where a few questions have to be asked, and they have to be answered."

It will mark the first time Brisbane has played home matches on the Gold Coast since the January 2011 floods.

"We know football fans on the Gold Coast are passionate about the game and these three matches provide them with the opportunity to be involved in the code again – this time at an international level," Dobson added.


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2 min read
Published 9 February 2015 3:53pm
Updated 9 February 2015 7:03pm

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