The world governing body would be left with little alternative other than to suspend Australia, which would threaten the Socceroos’ participation in January’s 2019 AFC Asian Cup and the Matildas’ 2019 FIFA World Cup campaign, if the gang of four stick to their guns and join forces with FFA to veto Congress reform at an extraordinary general meeting on September 7.
Sage is aghast that four fringe bodies - Tasmania, Northern NSW, Northern Territory and Capital Football - represent just 18 percent of registered players in Australia, yet are in a position to thwart the will of the majority.
“To me, it seems ludicrous that these small state associations who are very dependent on FFA can be prepared to derail the will of those who represent 82 percent of registered players, all of the professional players and all of the professional clubs,” said Sage.
“I just don’t see how that’s democratic.
"If it does happen there could be serious consequences for the FFA board because FIFA will then be painted into a corner on having to make a decision with potentially huge ramifications.
“The CRWG was entrusted by FIFA to come up with recommendations and I don’t see the logic of four federations (in concert with FFA) trying to stand in the way.
“The stakes are very high in terms of the possible repercussions for Australia (and the possibility of being ostracized by Zurich).”
In 2015, FIFA barred Indonesia from competing in qualifiers for Russia 2018 and UAE 2019 in an instance of drastic action.
It will require a 75 percent vote (there are 10 votes) to implement the CRWG’s recommendations - which include an independently run A-League.
If the recalcitrant states don’t “see sense”, as Sage puts it, they will have the numbers to scupper reform.
“I hope at least two of the federations currently standing against the changes go back and re-read the recommendations,” he added.
“Previously Western Australia, Victoria, NSW and South Australia were against change but now they’re part of the process they can see the benefits.
“Among those who signed off on them was the FFA board member Chris Nikou who could’ve dissented but he didn’t.”
The rogue federations have been accused of being the stooges of FFA chairman Steven Lowy - but Sage believes they have nothing to fear from change to the status quo.
“It’s not like jumping into an abyss,” he said. “It’s all got to be done properly.
“New board members have to be vetted by committees and it wouldn’t just be the case of nominating 10 new directors. It won’t happen that way.
“The clubs will only have 28 percent of the vote under the plan.
“I think the dissenters need to be asked to articulate their position. Why don’t they front the media and explain their views?
"There is no legitimate reason, other than the FFA’s line that A-League clubs will have too much power, which just doesn’t stack up.
“The FFA also seem to think we’re in bed with the PFA but the truth is we’re not, and are likely to be at loggerheads in the future over player pay.
“They certainly won’t necessarily always be on our side, but like us they just want a democratic congress.
“I am particularly peeved because in 2012 when we lost to Brisbane in the grand final we were assured of an Asian Champions League spot but that got taken away by the AFC because of the (FFA’s) governance issues.
“If the changes aren’t instituted, these types of things can happen again at any time.
“There are many heavy-handed things that can be imposed on us by FIFA.”
