READ MORE
The pains of a leaderless game
Speaking at the club's Victory in Business Luncheon in Melbourne, Di Pietro held nothing back as he took aim at those running the country's top football competition.
“Now is a critical juncture in the A-League’s life. Now is a time of change as we welcome new FFA chairman Mr Steven Lowy,” he said.
"The A-League must strive for excellence and market leadership. It cannot be content anymore with mediocrity. We're sick of it."
Di Pietro called for the FFA's appeal process for banned fans to be revised immediately, after banned fans complained that they don't have a fair opportunity to appeal.
"Clearly, nobody in football condones anti-social behaviour. But it opened the door to the peanut gallery, who live in bygone era.
"These people believe anyone who chooses to actively support their club is a thug. Well, they are not!"
"There must be a fair and realistic appeals process put in place without delay," he said.
Di Pietro also stressed the importance of securing a lucrative broadcast deal, while challenging the FFA to improve attendance figures.
"The right broadcast deal will take game to a wider audience and help secure the financial future of those clubs desperately in need," he said.
"Secondly, attendances. I sincerely hope that there are more strategies in place than free tickets for kids in January.
"Finally, FFA must resolve fan discontent. Rebecca Wilson’s article last week caused a tidal wave of football-phobic rubbish."
