Opinion

How Viduka’s claims show Australian footballers deserve better

For those of you that have watched ESPN’s interview with Mark Viduka and read the accompanying article, you could be forgiven for gravitating towards the sensational headlines.

These headlines have included the following: Mark Viduka breaks silence on Harry Kewell feud; ‘sulking’ Lucas Neill, and Viduka slams 'clueless' FFA, former Socceroos teammates.

While Viduka’s opinions have attracted considerable debate, I am just delighted that one of the greatest players the country has ever produced opted to speak so candidly in a public forum. 

After all, beyond a handful of television punditry jobs or the odd newspaper column, it’s not often that we get to hear from the legends of the game which is mystifying considering the wealth of talent we have at our disposal.  

Understandably, the Lucas Neill and Harry Kewell narratives were the most attractive soundbites to the media outlets but from my perspective, Dukes’s most shocking revelation had nothing to do with his views on his former teammates.  

"When I came back to Australia, I wasn't looking at getting out of football," Viduka told ESPN.  

"I was looking to have a rest from football, but nobody contacted me at all to be involved in football. The only thing Football Federation Australia contacted me for was so I could be a special guest at their dinners.” 

His disclosure was both disturbing and baffling because I simply couldn’t comprehend that a player of his calibre and experience had never been approached by the game’s administrators to be involved in some capacity.
Worse still, he’s not the only one.  

In the space of a week and for the umpteenth time in my career, I’ve had to listen to former decorated players reveal that the powers-that-be have never made any attempts over the years to connect with them. 

It’s simply shocking and begs the question - why?  

Recently, I interviewed Craig Moore who said reflected the same sentiments. 

“I think that for many, many years we have probably been extremely poor at keeping our knowledge within the game,” Moore said.  

“I think we just assume that, they've done well for themselves, they're going to just go and do their own thing.

"Whereas, I'm going to be on their doorstep and say, ‘Lucas Neill, how can we get you involved in the game because you were a national team captain 80-odd times, you played overseas your whole life, you've contributed so much to Australian football: how can we look to bring you in? Is there anything that interests you? What are your ideas about life after football?’"  

“We don't even have those conversations and if you don't have those conversations, you don't know what these people want to do."
When I reached out to a former Socceroo, who had amassed over 50 caps for Australia and enjoyed a successful career abroad, he declined to be interviewed for this piece - simply saying the following.  

“In all honesty, I feel like I am a nobody here and been treated like that for a long time now, so kind of gotten used to it,” he revealed.  

“Football here is a big mess from junior football all the way up to the top which is a big shame. I’m happy to just forget about it when it comes to me and my involvement, I’ve already tried.”
I would be lying if I said it didn’t make me irrevocably sad to learn that our players have been treated like second-rate citizens, worthy only of a dinner invitation or the occasional honorary mention.
The sad reality is, this is an issue that has dogged the Australian football community for decades and stems right back to the days when the late and great Johnny Warren began raising it alongside Les Murray.  

I have also listened to my beloved colleague Craig Foster lament about our appalling treatment of former players endlessly and he is the perfect example of someone who should be involved in the key decision-making areas of the game but for reasons I cannot fathom nor accept, has been exempt from those opportunities.    

From my observations, this has everything to do with power and nothing to do with growing the game for the greater good which has crippled Australian football since the dawn of time.  

For years, the Lowy regime in particular were reluctant to extend their positions of true influence to those with football experience because retaining control was far easier when it wasn’t being challenged by genuinely capable individuals that didn’t simply bow down to every command. 

Just ask former Socceroo and legend of the game Jack Reilly, who after his spell on the FFA board, was unceremoniously dumped by Frank Lowy and his colleagues. 

 

At the time, Reilly was forthright in his public condemnation of Lowy senior, who he dubbed as an “autocratic chairman” that presided over a “compliant board” - as quoted by the SMH .    

For years we have listened to the game’s leaders talk about their “passion” for football and how they have been “life long fans” but it’s time to accept that it just hasn’t worked.  

To call yourself a fan of the game is one thing but to go through the rigours of a top-level football career, to play in front of hundreds of thousands of people, to suffer through coach sackings, changing clubs and countries, survive through hostile dressing rooms and the politics at every football club is another thing entirely.  

Yet incredibly, our most senior positions at the governance level are not deemed fit for these players and although there have been limited opportunities made available over the years, the most coveted roles are still reserved for those who possess business acumen but lack a real understanding of football culture.    

Lest it be mentioned that in order to survive in these positions, you must also refrain from truly rocking the boat which ironically, is precisely what is needed at any organisation in order to progress and grow.  

Fortunately, newly anointed chief executive officer at FFA, James Johnson arrives with footballing pedigree and administrative experience.
Unfortunately, after just three short months in the role, he has been thrust into the darkest period for the game in recent memory and while the real test is now, the greater test lies in the future.  

Globally, Bayern Munich and Ajax are two exemplary examples where highly revered footballers have been employed to impart their wisdom and effect positive change at the highest level of governance - they are respected and celebrated.  

Meanwhile in Australia, if it were not for the likes of SBS and Fox Sports, many of our iconic footballers would be put out to pasture and forgotten about.   

In the last week alone, the players have been treated like second-rate citizens in a game that quite frankly, cannot exist without them.  

Recently, a reliable source told me that prior to the final game of the competition before the suspension was officially announced, Newcastle Jets and Melbourne City players were told that it would be imperative to play for the next payment of the deal.  

For too long, we have treated our most valued commodities like pawns on a chess board - we are happy to send them into battle and encourage them to play through a global pandemic in order to save our sport, yet the powers-that-be are all too prepared to shun them at a moment’s notice.  

It’s disgraceful. 

The truth is, not every player is going to want to run for FFA chairman or have the desire to pursue an administrative role in the game, but the fact that it isn’t even an option is the problem here. 

Lately, there have been endless conversations and press releases about “uniting the football community” and projections around what the future of the professional game could look like in Australia.  

It’s incredibly difficult to surmise given how much uncertainty continues to plague our everyday lives but one thing is certain, we must start treating our players both former and current with the respect that they deserve.  

For years I’ve always admired the famous quote by Tony Adams: “play for the name on the front of the shirt and they will remember the name on the back.” 

Now more than ever, we are being forced to consider, just which of our Australian players we will remember in decades to come.   


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8 min read
Published 7 April 2020 7:12pm
By Lucy Zelic

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