Codes Reach Agreement on Eve of World Cup Submission

The Australian Football League, Australian Rugby Union (ARU), National Rugby League and Football Federation Australia (FFA) have signed a binding agreement giving unanimous backing to Australia's bid to host the 2018/2022 FIFA World Cup.

The agreement between the Federal Government and each of the football codes will see the AFL, ARU and NRL co-exist with the FIFA World Cup if Australia does host the event in 2018 or 2022.

Months of delicate talks with the AFL in particular will see the AFL along with the rugby codes give up the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Geelongâs Skilled Stadium, Subiaco Oval, the Gold Coast's Skilled Park and Adelaide Oval for a period of ten weeks if the bid is successful.

For AFL, Melbourne's Etihad Stadium would become its major focus during the World Cup with other games to be played in Darwin, Canberra, Launceston and at Perth's WACA while rugby league and union would be played at regional venues.

The agreement also ensures that AFL will be unaffected by the FIFA Confederations Cup in the year before the World Cup; outlines a future compensation formula for AFL, rugby league and rugby union; and support for future development of all codes.

However, parts of the guarantee appears to contravene a FIFA regulation that a major sport cannot run in host cities during a World Cup.

AFL Chief Executive Andrew Demetriou told the Herald Sun he was relieved that an AFL season would not be scrapped or have to go into hiatus for an extended period, stating âfor our clubs and supporters, the main thing is we know there will be continuity in the season.

"The season will only be affected for 10 weeks maximum, for those five grounds we've given up. It just allows us to play out accordingly, so it's a relief."

For rugby, ARU Deputy Chief Executive Matt Carroll, explained "there will be significant issues and disruption around our inbound Test matches in June", adding that "the Super Rugby competition in its expanded format will also be affected but we will look at some rescheduling to reduce the effect on our teams through part of the required period."

Demetriou acknowledged the role of the Federal Government in brokering the agreement which he felt recognises that it is fair and reasonable for other football codes continue to play their seasons during a World Cup.

With the agreement in place, Australia's official invitation for world football to 'Come Play' is on its way to FIFA headquarters in Switzerland.

FFA Chairman Frank Lowy will lead the delegation that includes Federal Sports Minister Kate Ellis and FFA Chief Executive Ben Buckley and will present the official Bid Book to FIFA President Sepp Blatter at a special ceremony in Zurich on Friday.

The Bid Book, which contains all the technical information about Australiaâs bid, will also set out the compelling arguments as to why Australia should host the worldâs greatest football nations in 2018 or 2022.

The completion of the Bid Book is the culmination of over 12 months of hard work by FFA, the Federal Government and its partners.

The Bid Book contains 760 pages and includes 20 chapters. 30 leather bound copies have been produced, based on FIFA requirements.

The Bid Book will be delivered together with 270 annexe folders containing all the necessary agreements from the Government, host cities and stadia that prove that Australia is united and ready to welcome the FIFA World Cup. 

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